Mission Tandarust Punjab
Fruit Traders warned against Use of Carbide For Fruit Ripening
Nawanshahr, July 20, 2018: Following directions of Vinay Bublani, Deputy Commissioner, the Food Safety Department has intensified special campaign to implement Food Safety and Standards Act under Mission Tandarust Punjab.
An awareness meeting of fruit traders of Sabji Mandi Banga was held by Manoj Khosla, Assistant Commissioner Food and Sangeeta Sehdev food safety officer. The fruit traders were made aware that the use of carbide commonly known as masala had been banned under Food Safety Act, as consuming of artificially ripened fruits could cause mouth ulcers, gastric ulcers, nervous breakdown and cancer.
The traders were asked to sell only naturally ripened fruits. Besides, they were asked to get themselves registered and take food safety licenses under Food Safety and Standards Act.
The team also raided three banana ripening units situated and various fruit sellers in different area of Banga area. As many as 7 samples of mangoes and bananas were taken.
The samples will be sent to state food lab for analysis and further action will be taken against the errant traders, said Manoj Khosla while adding that to ensure quality fruits to the public, special drive was being carried.
The checking of all the establishments of food business operators will be intensified in the coming days. Sangeeta Sehdev Food Safety Officer said strict action will be taken against the violators. The cases will be registered against the Food Business operators for carrying Food business without license under Food Safety and Standards Act.