After initial success, health dept to take mobile food testing lab to various sectors in Chandigarh

A statement issued by the department said that a communication has been sent to the Federation of Sector Welfare asAociation to be co-operative ad co-ordinate with Food Safety Administration. “The Food Safety Administration Department in near future will also visit schools, colleges, universities, fruits and vegetable market,” it said.

The statement added that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India machine will be a new addition to the inventory of Mobile Food Testing Lab. “The special emphasis during summer will be on non-alcoholic beverages, shikanjvi, ice products, packed water bottles, fruits like kharbuja, watermelon, khira, vegetables and meat products, cut fruits checking of milk and milk products as there are chance of synthetic milk and milk product this season,” it said.

According to the health department, meat products should be authorised and stamped by the doctor in-charge at slaughter houses in Chandigarh.

About the tests conducted, 15 out of 70 milk product samples failed the test and 3 out of 15 turmeric samples failed in the test conducted last month.

“The community and people of Chandigarh advised to get the receipt cash slip from the Food Business Operation and then bring the food sample for Food testing based on this the Food Safety Administration will start the legal action against the Food Business Operators,” it said.

There is a provision of a fine upto Rs 10 lakh and imprisonment upto seven year and sealing of the Food Business Operators premises and cancelation of the licence and the registration certificate.