INDORE: A fruit vendor from New Palasia area and a Delhi-based agency were slapped with a fine of Rs 40,000 on Tuesday by a court of additional collector Rakhi Sahay for allegedly coating below standard wax on apples to increase their shelf life.
The matter came to light when a health officer of Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) Dr Gautam Bhatia during a routine inspection found that wax-coated apples were being sold in a stall in New Palasia area.
A carton of four kg apples was purchased for Rs540 and was later sent for a laboratory test in Bhopal under the ministry of health and family welfare department. The lab report indicated that the apples were coated with below standard wax.
"Below permissible standard wax was found applied on apples in a laboratory test in Bhopal. As per the procedure, a case was made and presented in the administration court," said Gautam Bhatia, assistant health officer at IMC.
He added that the apple vendor, Kishanlal claimed purchasing the apples from a Delhi- based export firm called Royal Asia Marketing International. He also presented receipts of his purchases.
The apples were even stamped with Columbia pride Washington state apples and were put on sale. The stamp was also found to be a fake, he added.
The same documents were presented in the court. Kishanlal's firm was found guilty for allegedly selling the fruits without testing and was fined Rs10,000. Meanwhile, the Delhi based firm was found coating the below permissible standard wax on apples to increase the life of fruit and was slapped a fine of Rs 30,000 as per the food and safety standards act 2006 and 2011, the orders stated.
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