Undertaking a massive surveillance exercise Food Safety teams of Punjab conducted rigorous inspections of Milk and Milk Products (M&MP) during the last two days in Punjab.The teams collected 135 samples of M&MP including Desi Ghee, Dahi, Paneer, Butter, Khoya, Lassi, Burfi, Cream from various food business operators across the State and forwarded them to State Food Safety Laboratory in Kharar for analysis.Disclosing this K.S. Pannu, Commissioner Food & Drug Administration and Mission Director, Tandrust Punjab Mission stated that Government of Punjab is taking the matter of adulteration of food material very seriously and regular inspections of food business operators are being carried out.“Our mandate is to ensure availability of quality food and compliance of standards laid down by FSSAI”, reiterated Pannu and added that along with checking the food business operators who are engaged in manufacturing and sale of quality food products, they are being instructed to maintain hygiene and sanitary conditions.
He informed that besides the regular inspection of Milk and Milk products , special campaigns regarding particular food items like fruits, condiments and other products are also being conducted carried out.He warned the food business operators who indulge in malpractices to desist from such activities failing which the department shall not hesitate to take strict action against the perpetrators. The Commissioner stated that action as per the Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006 is taken against the food operators whose samples fail the test of quality. Giving details, he said that a punishment up to 6 years with a fine of Rs. 1 lac can be imposed on the food business operator whose products are found to be unsafe for human consumption. However, in the case of samples found sub-standards a fine up to Rs. 10 lac can be imposed against the food business operators through a summary trial at the level of Additional Deputy Commissioner of the District.