Jamshedpur : Beware of the coloured sweets sold in open market. They may contain harmful chemicals that will affect one’s health.
With Diwali round the corner, the district health department has embarked on a special drive to check the quality of sweets sold at various stalls across the city.
Led by district civil surgeon Jagat Bhusan Prasad accompanied by district food safety officer Mahesh Pandey, raid was carried out at two outlets.The team seized four samples sweets manufactured using milk products like khoa at popular sweet brand ‘Misti’ at Kumharpara in Kasidih.
“We have been receiving complaints of food adulteration from these unit and have collected samples which would be sent to food testing laboratory at Ranchi to- day evening,” said Jagat Bhusan Prasad.
He added that samples were being collected mainly to check adulteration and use of non-permitted colours. “Samples will be sent to the laboratory and based on its report action will be taken,” they added.
Use of harmful synthetic colours, including dyes were not permitted. But small manufacturers use the banned items just to give more colour to the sweets so as to make it attractive, offi- cials said.
Most of the sweets manufactured in the district were from the unorganised sector – houses or group of people joining together to make a fast buck.
Actions against the sweet manufacturer, after lab report would be initiated as per Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 (revised in 2012) and offenders found indulging in sale of adulterated products found unsafe for health
would be liable for hefty fine of anything between Rs 25,000 and Rs 2 lakh.
When contacted Misti partner Achintam Kumar refuted charges of adulteration. “We are in business from 18 years and have been selling products without any report of adulteration.
We have faith that the lab report would come out in our favour,” said Achintam. The team after about an hour-long raid at the manufacturing unit of Misti then moved on to a newly opened outlet ‘Puja Misthan and Rasoi’ at Bhalubhasa. Raids would continue till Diwali (November 3) at other sweet outlets in the city.
