Jamshedpur, June 22: After getting several complaints about the adulteration and poor quality of food materials that is being sold in the state, Jharkhand Minister for Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs, Saryu Rai on Monday visited state food and drug testing laboratory in Namkum, Ranchi and observed the available testing facilities.
Minister also took information about the equipments present in the laboratory, Checking system and the materials used for food testing.
Chief Director, Dr. Praveen Chandra making the Minister aware of the difficulties they face in examining the food materials and recruitment of staffs said that the lab is not affiliated to National Accreditation Board and we are bound to send the food samples to Kolkata.
On this Saryu Rai suggested the Director to raise the issue at the meeting called by Health Minister on June 22.
Minister also suggested the director to make proposal to the government about continuous check of food samples, to strengthen the investigation mechanism and to make schedule of food samples before taking.
MLA also said that the food samples should be collected from whole sale traders. Currently samples are being collected from retail traders and their fault is not found in big numbers.
It should be observed that that the retailers should not suffer by the mistakes made by whole sale traders. All branded items should be examined which would help cut the rise of big traders in retail market.
Minister further informed that he recently got samples of Pepsi and Seven Up with dirt.
Present during the visit were Director Dr. Ritu Sahay along with technicians and other employees were present.