Chandigarh: Punjab health department will be forming district-level teams to check food processing units and ensure availability of unadulterated milk products, sweets and bakery items during the festive season.
The decision was taken by health minister Balbir Singh Sidhu during a review meeting of district health officers, assistant food commissioners, designated officers and lab analysts.
The health minister said the state government is committed to provide hygienic and unadulterated food products to the people and if any retailer or manufacturer is found to be indulging in unethical practices, strict action will be taken against them. He urged people not to compromise with the quality of the food products.
Giving details of the activities of the food safety teams across the state, food and drug administration (FDA) commissioner Kahan Singh Pannu said 853 samples have been collected from different parts of the state in August. While 690 samples have been found safe, 159 samples were found substandard. A total of 340 cases have been filed before additional deputy commissioners (ADC) whereas eight cases filed before the chief judicial magistrate (CJM). He further said fines of Rs 24.50 lakh have been imposed on the offenders. Pannu said apart from inspections, the food safety teams have been carrying out awareness activities — 75 sensitization camps have been organized to impart special training.
He added that these training sessions were intended to provide relevant and practical insights about food safety hazards, food safety, standards, food safety management systems and related legal provisions under the act.
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