Substandard sweets seized

As part of the pre-Diwali crackdown on small units preparing sub-standard sweets including 'Mawa' and 'Barfi', officers of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in the two-day-long crackdown across Mumbai, raided several places and seized mithai and edible oil worth Rs 3 lakh.

The places raided include locations at Borivali, Kurla and Dharavi, where the FDA officers came across unauthorised units preparing sweetmeats using adulterated milk and oil. In all, 12 samples were drawn and sent for forensic analysis, FDA Joint Commissioner (Food) Shailesh Adhav said, adding that action would be taken after the reports were received. “We will take action for violation of the food safety rules under FDA,” he said.

Since there is heavy demand for sweets during Diwali, shopkeepers use adulterated products to make sweets, which is injurious to health. Besides, these sweets are prepared in unhygienic conditions with total disregard to cleanliness norms. “We raided these shops based on information and seized all the sub-standard contents,” FDA Commissioner Pallavi Darade said. The FDA has also asked Mumbaikars to report on any cases of food adulteration on their helpline number 1800222365.

It may be recalled that two years back, the FDA had seized a heavy duty consignment of mustard oil adulterated with engine oil in Nashik during Diwali. 'Khoya' was found with traces of paper, starch and other items. Universally favourite 'Besan Laddoos' are commonly adulterated with 'Kesari Daal', an animal feed unfit for human consumption.

The sweets prepared using harmful starch, milk mixed with urea, caustic soda, artificial sweetening chemicals, non-approved food colours, etc. can cause serious gastritis and diarrhoea, among other problems. These offences are tried under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, as well as the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.