In wake of the the current festive season, the District Health department has directed the sweets makers, confectioners, grocery shopkeepers, vegetable / fruit sellers, dairy owners, milk sellers and other food business operators (FBOs) to sell pure, unadulterated and quality food items to the people. Acting Civil Surgeon Dr Renu Singh said that if any shopkeeper is caught making or selling adulterated sweets and other food items, strict legal action will be taken against them.
She said that under the "Food Safety Standards and Regulation Act", it is mandatory for every shopkeeper to sell pure, unadulterated and nutritious products. She also appealed to the people to be vigilant and sensitized and not to compromise on quality while purchasing food items.
Dr. Renu Singh said that instructions had already been given to the Food Safety officers of the Health Department to speed up inspections in all areas of the district during the current festive season and inspections are in full swing. She said that the purpose of the inspection is not to harass any shopkeepers but to ensure the good quality of the food items.
She said that if a shopkeeper sells pure and quality food products, they need not to be afraid of any checking. The purpose of inspection in shops is to check the quality of products so that the health of the people is not compromised in any way.
She also said that in case of non-packaged/loose sweets, the container/tray holding sweets at the outlet for sale should display the "Best Before Date" of the product which was made mandatory from October 1, 2020. The senior health officer also asked the shopkeepers to immediately complain to the health department if any kind of bribe or money is demanded in the name of any official of the health department or food safety wing so that strict legal action is taken against such bad elements.
People can contact Health department Helpline Number 104 for any information.