BHOPAL: For dozens of samples seized to identify food adulteration ahead of Diwali, only four may result in legal prosecution.
Following an inspection by the food and drugs administration (FDA) here on Tuesday, only four 'legal' samples were seized.
As per norms established under Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Act, legal action against food adulterators can only be initiated once FDA sleuths takes 'legal' samples.
FDA is responsible for regular surveillance, monitoring, inspection and random sampling of food products. However, taking a legal sample requires a nod from state government to appoint designated officer in each district.
FDA designated officer for Bhopal Savita Pawar along with her team seized 1.25 quintal of mawa from samples in Mangalwara. Two legal samples of sweets were also taken from Bairagarh area. "Whether these samples are random or not, they would be tested too," said Pawar.
As per Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), an autonomous body established under the ministry of health and family welfare (MoHFW), outlets selling food items are to be checked every six months at least. This rule, however, is seldom followed as FDA is short-staffed.
Legal samples that fail in a laboratory can lead to penalisation in court. On an average, an estimated 20% of food samples tested are found 'non-conforming' to the prescribed standards. FDA has yet to create a risk profile of businesses. Over the years, food sample collection by FDA and its legality has been challenged. Other issues hampering effectiveness of FDA is sampling. FDA inspector can take a legal sample of product only with permission from designated officer. Any sample even if they fail, cannot be used as court evidence.
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