Uttarakhand CM: Following strict instructions from Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, an intensive campaign against adulterators has started in the state. CM Dhami has given a clear message that “There is no concession against adulteration, consumer health is paramount.” In view of the festive season, teams of the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department (FDA) are keeping a close watch on the quality of mawa, paneer, ghee and sweets across the state.
CM’s warning and swift action of the department
Following strict orders from Chief Minister Dhami and Health Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat, Health Secretary and Commissioner, FDA, Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar has instructed Additional Commissioner Tajbar Singh Jaggi to conduct continuous inspection and raid campaigns in all the districts.
Vigilance in border districts: Special vigilance is being taken in the border districts of the state to stop the supply of fake and non-standard food items from outside states.
Sampling from mobile vans: FDA teams are visiting markets and testing products on the spot through mobile food testing labs.
Instructions for speedy testing: Laboratories have been ordered to test the samples expeditiously, so that legal action can be taken against the culprits immediately.
Consignment of fake products caught in Rishikesh and Bhagwanpur
Two major successes have been achieved during the campaign:
Fake Paneer in Bhagwanpur: A joint team of Food Safety Department and Police seized a consignment of fake paneer without quality certification and without FSSAI labeling from a vehicle in Baleki Yusufpur village of Bhagwanpur. The products have been seized and a case has been registered against the driver and the supplier.
Fake Ghee and Milk Powder in Rishikesh: In Rishikesh too, 5 quintals of cream, 35 kg of ghee and 50 kg of skimmed milk powder were seized from a vehicle which had no quality certificate. The department has expressed apprehension that these products are counterfeit products brought illegally from other states, and is prepared to take strict punitive action.
‘Zero tolerance’ policy in consumer interest
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has reiterated that the government’s priority is public health and consumer safety. He said there was no room for adulteration in the state and zero tolerance policy would be implemented against those who compromise on quality during festivals.
CM Dhami has appealed to the public to use only quality products. FDA is also running a public awareness campaign, under which Additional Commissioner Tajbar Singh Jaggi has appealed to consumers to check the packaging, labeling and manufacturing date while purchasing food items, and report any suspicious activity on the helpline.
