CONFED wheat fails lab test

The Haryana State Federation of Consumers’ Cooperative Wholesale Stores (CONFED) is under the scanner for supply of wheat,for mid-day meal in a Panchkula school,which was found ‘unfit for human consumption’.

The matter came to light on August 28,when teachers of Sarthak Government Integrated Model Senior Secondary School,Sector 12 A,suspected the wheat stock of being old and damaged and reported it to District Elementary Education Officer (DEEO) Anita Anand.

A sample of the wheat was packed and sent for testing on August 29 to a laboratory in Chandigarh.

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The report from the laboratory said,“The sample is free from fungus and mould growth. However,the whole sample contains sixty living insects.”

It added that the moisture was around 12.1 per cent,by weight,foreign matter was 1.55 per cent by weight and other edible grains were found 0.4 per cent by weight.

It further added that there were 4.2 per cent,by weight,damaged grains and the weevil ridden grains were 1.2 per cent by count.

The report was of the opinion that the sample did not conform to the prescribed standards as laid down under Prevention of Food Adulteration Act and Rules 1955 as it contained “60 living insects,whereas it should be free from the same”,and it contained 1.55 per cent (by weight) of foreign matter against the maximum prescribed limits of 1 per cent.

“Hence the sample is adulterated and unfit for human consumption,” concludes the report.

About 500 students take thier mid-day meal at Sarthak school,which was the first English medium school started by the Haryana government.

“We have reported the matter of sub-standard stock of wheat to the education department. It is sealed now and not in use,” said Indu Bala,Principal of Sarthak school.

“The laboratory report has been sent to the Deputy Commissioner and appropriate legal action will be taken against Consumers’ Cooperative Wholesale Stores officials,” said Additional Deputy Collector (ADC) Jagdeep Singh.