Minister for Health & Medical Education, Bali Bhagat has directed the authorities of the Drugs & Food Control Organization (D&FCO) to strictly enforce the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA) in the State to ensure quality food and other consumable items to the consumers which is their fundamental right.In view of the Diwali festival, the Minister has issued specific instructions to the D&FCO to undertake special market checking drives in the entire Jammu division to ensure quality sweets and other food articles, particularly prepared from milk are provided to the people during the festivity. He has called for taking all possible measures to keep strict check on sale of adulterated food items, and asked to take stern action against the unscrupulous elements.
Meanwhile, the D&FCO under a week-long special checking drive that commenced on 23rd of October, has lifted more than one hundred samples of sweets, Khoya, cheese, juices, biscuits, milk etc from various business establishments, and destroyed over 1.5 quintals of unwholesome food items in Jammu division. The drive has been undertaken by the concerned District Food Safety Officers under the overall supervision of Controller, D&FCO, J&K, Ms. Lotika Khajuria. The drive will continue till Diwali. People with any complaint, grievances relating to the quality of eatables, adulteration can contact the Controller, Drugs & Food Control Organization on telephone No. 9419105077.The D&FCO has asked the shopkeepers, business outlets, especially those dealing with the trade of sweets, milk, dhabas, restaurants to cooperate with the authorities in ensuring availability of standard sweets and other consumable products to the people. They were asked to maintain proper cleanliness in their premises and workshops.