Punjab Commissionerate of Food and Drug Administration on Friday directed the food safety teams to conduct a state-wide check of the sale of open or loose powdered spices, condiments and salt.
“As per rule 2.3.14 of Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulation, 2006, no person can sell powdered spices and condiments
except under packed condition,” said the state Food Safety Commissioner KS Pannu.
Pannu said that as per this regulation, condiments and spices can be sold only if they are properly packaged and labelled.
“Therefore, all the teams have been directed to be vigilant and to ensure that open and loose spices, condiments and salt are not sold in their respective areas of jurisdiction and to take action under the Food Safety and Standards Act against the defaulters,” he said.
“Spices are important commodities in every Indian kitchen but it is not uncommon for ground spices to be adulterated with artificial colours, starch, chalk powder, etc, to increase their weight and enhance their appearance,” he said.
Pannu said that the consumption of adulterated spices can cause a number of diseases, including skin allergies, liver disorders, etc. So, the state’s food safety teams have been directed specially to check the sale of unpackaged salt, spices and condiments.