Jamshedpur New Gangour Sweets, Prabhuji sweets found adulterated

Rasmalai, Barfi, Peda under scrutiny ahead of Holi festivities

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur: In anticipation of Holi festivities, the Food Safety Department has initiated a stringent campaign against adulterated food items, commencing from Friday. Under the leadership of Food Safety Officer Manzar Hussain, a targeted operation was conducted at Parsudih Mandi, resulting in the seizure of samples from six locations, primarily focusing on mustard oil and refineries.

The confiscated samples include various branded products, comprising sachets and bottled oils and refineries. These samples are currently undergoing thorough examination at a laboratory in Ranchi, with further action to be determined based on the test results. Among the establishments targeted were Shri Krishna Agency, BP Oil Mills, and Mahesh Idibul Oil Agency, all located in Parsudih Mandi.

Officer Hussain emphasized that if laboratory reports confirm adulteration or sub-standard quality, stringent actions will be taken against the concerned establishments under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006.

This fiscal year has witnessed a total of 123 samples being collected thus far, with 40 reports received from the state laboratory headquarters. Alarmingly, 15 samples were found to be sub-standard or non-compliant with established standards, resulting in prosecution proceedings initiated against five establishments, as communicated to the Assistant Deputy Commissioner.

In a previous raid conducted months ago, several sweet shops were targeted, with subsequent reports confirming adulteration in samples from five establishments. The adulterated items included Rasmalai, Khova Barfi, Soan Papdi, Kaju Barfi, Laddu, Kheer Kadam, Peda, and Rasgulla. As per regulations, it is mandatory for sweets to bear a clearly marked use-by date.

Officer Hussain reiterated the necessity for all shopkeepers to prominently display the use-by date of sweets in their establishments. Failure to comply will result in necessary legal action against the erring shopkeepers.

Instances of adulteration were confirmed in samples obtained from New Gouranga Sweets (Rasmalai), New Gangour Sweets (Khowa Barfi), Shri Bhog (Sonpapadi and Cashew Barfi), Mishti Bhog (Laddu and Kheerkadam), and Prabhuji Pure Food (Peda and Rasgulla), prompting directives for prosecution against these establishments.