PUNE: The state food and drug administration (FDA) commissioner Purushottam Bhapkar on Friday said officials have been told to conduct surprise visits to ensure food safety as the administration wants to weed out adulteration in food items.
"We have intensified our surveillance across the state and initiated a cross-verification of surveillance work by sending food safety officials outside their jurisdictions for inspection. There will be consistent cross-surveillance by officials who would be conducting raids on establishments," said Bhapkar, who was in the city to review the work done by FDA officials.
Officials would register non-cognizable offences against erring chemists if they overcharged or dispensed substandard or spurious medicines. "FDA officials won't be spared if they are found at fault," he added.
"We have received complaints of milk adulteration from Mumbaikars following which we have filed criminal cases against top milk brands. We have registered cases against dairy owners in Jalgaon and Kolhapur. From milk manufacturer to the delivery boy, the entire chain involved in milk business is being monitored across the state," he added.
The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which came into effect on August 5, 2011, looks at various aspects of milk adulteration and divides them into various segments like safe food, food not of the nature or substance or quality demanded, extraneous but harmless matter, misbranded items and unsafe for consumption.
According to the Act unsafe food means an article of food whose name, substance or quality is so affected as to render it injurious to human health. "As per the Act, adding a substance directly or as an ingredient which is not permitted is also considered as unsafe," said Shashikant Kekare, joint commissioner (food), FDA Pune.
Toll-free number for complaints
Citizens can register their food and drugs related grievances 24x7 on a toll free number 1800222365. It was launched on December 17 and has already registered 10 anonymous complaints so far.
"Anyone can register complaints regarding adulteration, substandard quality, overcharging. They are free to reveal their identity or remain anonymous. The moment a complaint is registered, we inform FDA officials about it which forwards the same to state FDA commissioner who takes a review of the complaints," said a helpline employee.
Since December 17 the toll free number has received 10 complaints regarding food as well as drugs. People have registered complaints about possible adulteration in milk and milk products. There are complaints about food business operator doing business without obtaining valid licence from FDA. "So far there has been no complaint from Pune. The number became operational two days ago and not many are aware about such a facility," the call centre employee said.
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