By SK.Vyas:
Kapurthala, July 10, 2019: Under Mission Tandrust Punjab, as per the directions of Kahn Singh Pannu, Commissioner Food & Drugs Administration Punjab, Er. (Sh.) D.P.S. Kharbanda Deputy Commissioner Kapurthala and Civil Surgeon Kapurthala today, awareness meeting was held with the Food Business Operators of Retailers & Wholesalers Category of Kapurthala City.
The directions of the Commissioner FDA Punjab Kahn Singh Pannu were surprised that 'No one can sell Powdered Spices & Condiments except under Packed Conditions'.
A simple label displaying necessary information like Nature of the article the packet contains; Details of Packer/Manufacturer; Date of Manufacturing/Packing; Use By Date or Best Before; Green Symbol; Batch No. etc. . This Label may take the form of a short slip either pasted on the packing or put in the transparent packet clearly visible from outside.
It was also made clear that the Food Business Operators assured the officials of Food Wing of Food & Drug Administration of full cooperation in this regard and that they will ensure that Pure & Quality Food Items especially Spices & Condiments will be made available to the general public.
The Food Wing also inspected the vehicles carrying Milk & Milk Products and instructed them not to add ice to the Milk for the purpose of keeping it cool, However, the Milk can be brought down to a lower temperature by the use of Chilling Machine or Refrigerator. They were also directed not to add any preservative or Chemical of any kind to prolong the shelf life of the Liquid Milk.
Food Wing Kapurthala on dated 09 July 2019 seized 10 samples from Kapurthala area: Milk 1, Refined Oil 1, Mustard Oil 1 , Maida 1, Namkeen 2, Pulses 2, Noodles 1, Edible Salt 1
These samples have been dispatched to the State Food Laboratory, Kharar and the report of the analysis will be made available to the department at the earliest. Further legal action will be initiated in the court of law against the offenders as per the report of analysis of the State Food Lab, Kharar under the Food Safety & Standards Act 2006 & Rules & Regulations 2011.
It is pertinent to mention here in the summer season, due to rise in temperature, foodstuffs tend to deteriorate quickly due to microbial growth. So, these should be preserved at proper temperatures. Milk & Milk Products should be stored at below 4 degree Celsius. Frozen food to be kept at minus 18 degree Celsius. FBO's (Food Business Operators) are directed to prepared only as much foodstuff which is likely to be consumed daily.
All the FBO's are strictly directed to ensure the hygiene of the business premises, proper personal hygiene of the workers engaged in the unit especially those directly handling the foodstuffs. Workers should wear proper headgear, wear a protective glove and wear a clean apron, as far as feasible. F.B.O's should ensure the quality right from the procurement of raw material up to the prepared final product. There should be the provision of a separate facility for water for drinking purposes and washing of utensils.
This checking drive by the Food Wing Kapurthala to curb the menace of adulteration will be continued in future also to ensure that the citizens get pure, healthy and unadulterated food.