Kahan Singh Pannu, Commissioner, Food and Drugs Administration, Punjab cum Director, Mission Tandrust Punjab, today warned all those involved in the sale of spurious and adulterated milk and milk products to better mend their ways or be ready to face the music. He said that once caught, names of all such people would be made public. He also warned that FIR under various sections of IPC would also be registered against the culprits, besides their premises would also be sealed.While chairing a meeting of Food Safety Officers and senior officials of Dairy Development Department, Mr Pannu said that the department has already prepared a list of around 250 people in the state and very soon, raids would be conducted on their premises. He said that to ensure that the culprits don’t go scot free, the department has purchased hand-held milk testing kits, through which the adulteration can be checked by the officials on the spot. He said that people can also use such milk testing kits as they are easily available in the market. Mr Pannu informed that once the kit detects adulteration in milk, the sample would be sent for further testing in the department’s lab in Chandigarh.Mr Kahan Singh Pannu informed that the milk sample within the range of 6.4-6.6 ph value is considered pass, while those less or more than this value means that the milk is spurious.
He informed that very soon, a helpline number for this purpose would be launched, where people can give information regarding any person involved in selling spurious milk or milk products. He said that once the helpline number is launched, cash awards would also be given to such informers.He further that after a series of meetings with all Halwai Associations at state level as well as at district level, one week time has been given to them to stop this illegal trade or be ready to face action. He said that his department is mainly after the big fish of the trade and hefty fines would be imposed on all culprits so that this business of selling spurious milk and milk products becomes financially unviable for them. He informed that at the moment, the department’s main focus is on milk and milk products.While speaking to media persons after the meeting, Mr Kahan Singh Pannu informed that at present, 12 mobile milk testing vans are present in the state, besides milk testing is also done at the offices of Deputy Director of Dairy Development Department in all districts of the state.
He warned that no person would be allowed to play with the lives of public by selling spurious milk and milk products.He said that a large quantity of spurious “khoya” and cheese (paneer) comes from states such as Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, which is further sold to various shops across the state. He said that the department is keeping a close watch on all the activity and raids would be conducted soon. He said that the department also has information of some shops are duping public by selling “Cooking Medium Oil” by claiming it to be “Desi Ghee”. Mr Pannu warned that shops selling spurious spices would also be raided and action would be taken against the owners.Later, Mr Kahan Singh Pannu also chaired a meeting with the Drug Inspectors and asked them to lay special emphasis on chemists selling spurious medicines or those medicines that are used as drugs. He asked the officials to ensure strict action is taken against such persons.Prominent among those present on the occasion included Mr Inderjit Singh, Director, Dairy Development, Punjab, Mr Ashok Kumar, Director Labs, FDA Punjab, Dr Anup Kumar, Deputy Director cum Joint Commissioner, FDA Punjab, besides several others.