-DC warns against sale of adulterated food, stresses quality and hygiene standards
Kapurthala, October 18: The Food Safety Wing of the health department has intensified its inspection campaign ahead of the festive season to ensure the quality and safety of food products, with 72 samples collected for testing across Kapurthala district since August. The campaign aims to curb food adulteration, prevent the sale of substandard products and safeguard public health during the festive season.
Most of the samples collected during this period pertained to milk and milk products, bakery items, grocery products and other food commodities. The sampling drive was carried out in accordance with the guidelines issued by the higher authorities. All collected samples were sent to the State Food Laboratory, Kharar, for analysis to assess their quality and check for possible adulteration.
Deputy Commissioner Akash Bansal said the district administration would leave no stone unturned to prevent the sale of adulterated food products, which posed a serious threat to public health. He said the inspection drive would continue, and strict action would be taken against those found violating food safety norms. He said the intensified campaign was aimed at ensuring that consumers could purchase sweets and other food products with confidence during the festive season. Ensuring the availability of safe, pure and hygienic food was a fundamental responsibility of the district administration, and all necessary steps would be taken to protect public health.
The Deputy Commissioner added that the health department was also sensitising sweet manufacturers, bakery owners, milk vendors and their employees about the importance of maintaining proper hygiene and following prescribed practices during food preparation, handling and storage. He urged food business operators to cooperate with the administration and comply with government guidelines to ensure the supply of safe and healthy food products.
Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner (Food) Harjot Pal Singh and Food Safety Officer Raman Virdi and Mehak Saini said food business operators had been directed to strictly adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Good Hygiene Practices (GHP) to maintain the quality and safety of food products. They added that any violation of prescribed standards would invite legal action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the rules and regulations framed thereunder.
