With demand for sweets, savouries and products such as ghee, khoya, and paneer on surges during the ongoing festive season, increasing the chances of such products being adulterated, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has asked has asked its state-level officials to increase monitoring of sweet sellers and producers across the nation.
“……preventive actions including special surveillance and enforcement drives by food safety officers and designated officers can curb such practices effectively and ensure the safety of such products,” Inoshi Sharma, executive director, (regulatory compliance) at FSSAI, said in a letter to state and UT food commissioners.
State food safety inspectors have been ordered to investigate the stores and collect samples for quality control. They have been directed to take action against those who have been found to be in violation of quality standards.
The regulator also said frequent enforcement and surveillance drives must be conducted to prevent malpractices and that mobile-testing units must be deployed at key places.
“Also, the Food Safety on Wheels (FSW), where available, are to be positioned in prominent markets and/or on the basis of specific intelligence inputs so as to ensure that such products are safe to consume and are strictly as per the respective food products standards.
