Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 23: To make sure that safe, healthy and hygiene food is being served or being sold to the customers in Jammu, Food Safety wing of Drug and Food Control Organization Jammu conducted a special drive on the eve of Navaratras and challaned 12 food business operators for violation of FSS Act 2006.
The team of Food Safety headed by Dr Parvesh Kumar, Assistant Commissioner, Food Safety, Municipal Limits Jammu and comprising Food Safety Officers Daleep Singh, Ajay Khajuria and Pervaiz Ahmed inspected various food establishments situated in Gandhi Nagar, Shastri Nagar, Nanak Nagar, Trikuta Nagar, Channi Himmat, Bohri, Paloura, Canal Road, Jewel Chowk, Bakshi Nagar, Shakti Nagar, Sarwal, Rehari, Purani Mandi, Pirmitha, Pacca Danga, Janipur, Bantalab and Roop Nagar.
During the drive, samples of milk and milk products, Fast items like Singhara and Darau atta, Fast ladoos, juices, mustard oil, etc were lifted and sent to the Food Testing Laboratory Jammu for ascertaining standards of purity.
Further, 12 violators were challaned for unhygienic and insanitary conditions in their shops as they were manufacturing and storing the sweets and ‘fenia’ under insanitary and unhygienic conditions. The team also lifted 13 samples of different food items out of which 4 were declared substandard for which concerned officer has been directed to proceed as per norms laid down in the FSS Act 2006.
The team of Food Safety Officers also spread awareness among the shopkeepers about the good hygiene and manufacturing practices and also instructed to maintain proper sanitation and hygiene in the processing/storage areas. They were also directed to ensure that all the food handlers are free from infectious and contagious diseases.
The shopkeepers were also directed to keep all food items covered and sell only fresh and good quality sweets to the public.