Bhilwara food safety dept seizes 600kg of contaminated food

Bhilwara: Acting under the directions of district collector Jasmeet Singh Sandhu, the food safety dept Wednesday carried out a surprise inspection at Hitkar Nutri Foods in Baneda as part of the 'Shuddh Aahar-Milawat Par Waar Abhiyan', aimed at ensuring safe and unadulterated food for consumers. During the raid, officials seized a large quantity of food products and destroyed contaminated material found at the unit.

Chief medical and health officer Dr Sanjeev Kumar Sharma said around 1,250 kg of Chatgola and amla candy was being manufactured at the establishment when the team conducted the inspection.

The food material was seized on the spot. Officials also found around 600 kg of contaminated food items stored in six drums, which were immediately destroyed.

Samples of the seized food items were collected, sealed and sent to the Public Health Laboratory in Ajmer for analysis. Action will be initiated under the Food Safety and Standards Act if the laboratory report confirms adulteration or any violation of food safety norms.

The inspection also revealed poor hygiene and unsatisfactory cleanliness at the unit. A notice will be issued to the food business operator in this regard.

The team inspected storage, manufacturing, and sales practices and directed the operators to adhere to food safety standards, maintain cleanliness, and ensure the production and sale of quality food products.

Dr Sharma said such inspections would continue across the district to curb adulteration and the sale of unhygienic food items. He also urged consumers to check the quality, packaging, and manufacturing and expiry dates of food products before purchasing them.