State Government Will Not Compromise on the Health and Safety of the People: Arti Singh Rao
Health Minister Directs Strict Action Against Food Adulteration in Haryana
Special Diwali Inspection Drive: 50,000 kg of Adulterated Sweets and Paneer Destroyed; 170 Samples Fail Quality Tests
Chandigarh, November 3
With the aim of ensuring the availability of pure and safe food products to the people during the festive season, the Haryana Government has intensified its crackdown on food adulteration across the state. Health Minister Arti Singh Rao said that the state government would not compromise on the health and safety of its people.
Under the directions of the Health Minister, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Department launched an extensive inspection drive across Haryana from October 1 in view of the upcoming Diwali festival. The campaign will continue until Diwali.
According to the Health Minister, a total of 1,288 samples of sweets, khoya, milk, paneer and other food items have been collected across the state so far. Laboratory testing of 861 samples has been completed, of which 170 failed to meet the prescribed standards. These include 140 substandard samples and 30 samples declared unsafe for human consumption. Taking serious note of the violations, the department has conducted raids in various districts and destroyed approximately 50,000 kg of adulterated sweets and fake paneer on the spot.
Emphasising consumer safety and awareness, Arti Singh Rao said that the names and addresses of shopkeepers and vendors whose samples have failed are being uploaded on the official FDA Haryana portal to enable the public to remain vigilant. She clarified that joint teams of the police and food safety officials are conducting regular raids to curb adulteration. Vehicles transporting food products are also being checked at state borders and along major routes, while strict surveillance is being maintained on the use of prohibited colours in sweets.
To prevent food adulteration and protect public health, the Haryana Government has directed strict monitoring of the complete ban on the manufacture and sale of analogue paneer. Further, to ensure transparency, all sweet shops, restaurants and sweet packaging boxes are required to clearly mention whether the sweets have been prepared using desi ghee or edible oil.
To expedite the testing process, the Food Analysis Laboratories in Karnal and Chandigarh have been directed to provide sample reports within 48 hours on priority. In addition, five mobile food testing laboratories have been deployed in different parts of the state to facilitate immediate on-the-spot testing.
Health Minister Arti Singh Rao also appealed to citizens to remain vigilant. If any consumer has doubts regarding the quality of food products, complaints can be registered on the Central Government's FoSCoS portal (www.foscos.gov.in) or directly through email at http://jcfood.fda-hry@gov.in.