PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE /Dehradun
The Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken action against several food business operators in Dehradun to ensure the quality and safety of food items to be used during Navratri festival slated in April. Particularly alert about buckwheat flour (kuttu ata) which is used in large quantities during the nine-day festival, the officials asked traders to use good-quality flour and clearly mention the manufacturing and expiry dates on the packaging. Notably, over 150 people had fallen ill and hospitalised after consuming adulterated kuttu ata in March last year.
The officials also held a meeting with traders at Adhat Bazaar ahead of the upcoming Navratri festival. During the meeting, traders were given instructions about food items used during fasting, especially buckwheat flour. The manufacturers and wholesalers were asked to use good quality buckwheat grains and avoid producing large quantities of flour at one time. They were also directed to clearly mention the batch number, food licence number, manufacturing date and expiry date on the packets.
Retail sellers were told to check these details before selling the product. They were also warned against selling expired, fungus and insect-infested flour. The department also appealed to consumers to check the label carefully before buying buckwheat flour and avoid purchasing expired or old products. People were also advised to consume dishes made from buckwheat flour in limited quantities.
Besides, cases have also been filed against four food business operators for selling chicken and mutton without a food licence and in unhygienic conditions. Another case has been filed against a trader for manufacturing and selling substandard turmeric powder. In total, cases have been registered against five food business operators in the district.
These actions were taken under the directions of the FDA commissioner Sachin Kurve and Dehradun district magistrate Savin Bansal.
