Railway Stations, Bus Stands Under Scanner In Punjab To Seize Adulterated Khoya

Chandigarh, November 4, 2015: Drive against adulteration of sweets has been intensified in Punjab with state government launching state wide raids on shops, godowns suspected to be selling/storing/manufacturing such products said Punjab Health and family welfare Minister Mr.Surjit Kumar Jiyani during the meeting witj the District Health Officers of all districts. He said that the Punjab government acting tough with all those selling adulterated and contaminated food items.

Disclosing this here today Punjab health and Family Welfare Minister Mr.Surjeet Kumar Jayani said that the government has already issued cautions to take strict  action against faulty and health department has launched an forceful campaign   against the sale of impure food items including sweets, khoya and other milk especially during the ongoing festival season. He also said that with a view to ensuring purity in the sweets and other eatables  traders have been inspected by the Department of Food and Supplies across the state. Staggering traders will be prosecuted for selling commodities in violation of health and safety norms.

He further   said that in order to keep strict vigil on the milk products and khoya coming from other states, the Minister said that all the entry points including the railway stations, bus stands have been guarded against adulterated food items. The adulterated food items would be destroyed there and then by the special task force deputed at various sensitive points, said Mr. Jayani.

Cautioning the people to be vigilant against adulteration, the Minister said that when the filter paper is put on the sample if the top layer leaves a mark on the paper, the sweet is adulterated and the people should report such instances so that appropriate action could be taken against the erring food sellers.

Adding further Mr. Jayani said that according to the Food Safety and Standards Act, the punishment for selling adulterated food is seven years imprisonment and a Rs 10 lakh fine. For selling sub-standard food you could face a maximum fine of Rs 10 lakh. And for death caused by adulterated food, the offender could face seven years jail term to life imprisonment. He has asked the officers of the department to remain cautious against the sale of unsafe food in the state.