Gandhinagar, April 9 (IANS). In Gujarat, a strict campaign was launched across the state to check the quality and labeling of food items including cheese. During this period, more than 2,500 food establishments were inspected and more than 700 kg of food items were destroyed.
FDCA conducted a ‘Mega Special Drive’ between April 4 and 9 to check the quality, correct identity and information provided to consumers of paneer and cheese products in hotels, restaurants, dhabas and other food establishments.
A total of 2,527 establishments (manufacturers and eating places) were inspected during this campaign.
According to officials, 270 notices were issued for violation of rules, while 18 establishments were sealed or closed. Apart from this, a fine of Rs 2,84,300 was collected and 703 kg of spoiled food items were destroyed.
During the investigation, 95 samples were taken for lab testing. At the same time, the Food Safety Van inspected 659 places and tested 679 samples on the spot.
The officials also clarified that ‘analog cheese is not fake, but a substitute for dairy cheese’, but action will be taken if it is wrongly sold as genuine cheese.
The campaign follows the FDCA’s directive mandating hotels and restaurants to clearly disclose whether the paneer being served is made from milk or is an analog product.
All establishments have been instructed to clarify the nature of cheese by putting up boards at their places.
Praful Pansheriya said that it is necessary to give correct information to the customers, otherwise it will be considered in the category of misleading and action will be taken.
Under the new rule, traders cannot sell the analog product only in the name of ‘Paneer’, but will have to clearly write it as ‘Analog’ or ‘Vegetable Fat Paneer Substitute’.
Officials said that this action is being taken under the FDCA Act and if the rules are not followed, there will be fine and legal action.
Now this inspection campaign will also be extended to manufacturing units and sellers, so that rules can be followed both at the production and sales level and the interests of consumers can be protected.
–IANS
AMT/DKP