FDA directs wholesalers to seek six-month lab report before purchasing food product
Wednesday, 22 November 2023 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) has directed the wholesalers as well as distributors to obtain a lab report from the manufacturing company when purchasing a product. The direction was conveyed by the FDA’s designated official PC Joshi during an inspection of the wholesale distribution food establishments in Lakkhibagh and Adhat Bazaar on Tuesday. The FDA inspected the wholesale distribution market to ensure the safety of food items in food establishments. During the inspection, samples of eight items including oil, vegetables, sweets and chocolate were collected and sent to the Rudrapur food testing lab for quality testing. Additionally, the FDA team informed all wholesale and distribution vendors about the importance of checking the traders and not keeping any expired food items.
Further, during the inspection, Joshi instructed wholesale distributor food businesses on the importance of safe storage of food items. He said that it is necessary for companies to label the food items packed by them before storing them for sale. The condition of the food items should be regularly checked and their purchase and sale records need to be maintained. If any food item expires, it must be recalled from the market. The Food Safety Standards Authority of India has implemented the Recall Regulation 2017 to ensure food safety. Wholesalers and distributors are required to create their recall plans and obtain a six-month laboratory report from the manufacturing company before purchasing their products. It is also mandatory for every businessman to undergo one-day food safety training, he added. During the inspection, expired items found at the wholesaler market were destroyed by the FDA.
