FSDA keeping an eye on adulterated sweets for Diwali

The Food Safety and Drugs Administration (FSDA) are keeping a close eye on the adulterated sweets and other food items consumed during Diwali for the city residents.

A team of five officials will conduct surprise inspections at shops in rural and urban areas to check adulteration and the sale of expired products, reported TNN. The anti-adulteration drive is set to continue till November 15.

"A five-member team of the food department is conducting regular checks by sending suspicious food items to the laboratory for testing. If any sub-standard or unsafe food item is found, the person will be dealt with as per rules," said JP Singh, chief food safety officer.

However, samples of the food items will be sent to Lucknow's food testing lab to avert any possibility of manipulation at the city-based lab, if the samples look too suspicious they will be sent to the latter and an immediate report will be sought. The reports from the city-based lab can be obtained in 48 hours and action can be taken soon after, adds Singh. The FSDA officials are also keeping an eye on milk, ghee, paneer and milk-based sweets, which they say are the main food items that are found adulterated. "The food items are preserved and sent to Lucknow by means of courier. The result will reach us within 20 days," said Singh.

Even the customers can file complaints related to food adulteration with the department anonymously. The sample may be submitted by depositing Rs 1,000 and if found adulterated, a complaint can be filed with FSDA officials. One can even test the food items at their homes as directed in the manual available at the FSDA office.

"We are focusing mainly on sweets, milk products and cooking oils to keep adulteration under control. Almost every year, people fall ill after consuming food items so we are making sure that no such incident happens this time," said Singh.