BENGALURU: The Food Safety Division of the Department of Food Safety and Drug Administration conducted a special inspection drive on August 31 on sweet manufacturing units across Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), Mysuru City Corporation, Dakshina Kannada, Belagavi, Kalaburagi and Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) areas on the directions of Health and Family Welfare Minister U T Khader.
The special drive was undertaken to ensure strict compliance with food safety, hygiene and quality standards and to safeguard public health. The department also initiated action against establishments where violations of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the rules and regulations framed thereunder were identified, according to a press release by the Commissioner Food Safety and Drug Administration.
16 sweet manufacturing units inspected
As part of the drive, officials inspected 16 sweet manufacturing units and collected samples of a range of food products for laboratory analysis. The samples included sweets, cooking oil, fresh oil, curd, pulses, chickpeas/chana, jalebi, khova and tea powder, among other food items. The samples have been sent to authorised laboratories to assess their quality, safety and compliance with prescribed food safety standards.
Expired, improperly labelled products seized
During the inspections, officials seized 5 litres of expired Nandini curd. In addition, 13 large packets and 6 small packets of chocolate decoration products were seized for improper labelling. Officials also seized 10 kg of chocolate flavour and 5 kg of rasgulla as part of the enforcement action.
Action against misbranding and labelling violations
Approximately 60 kg of various food products, including Banana Chips and Chakli Masala, were found to be misbranded. The products did not carry mandatory labelling information, including the manufacturer’s name and address and FSSAI licence number.
The products were seized for violation of the prescribed labelling requirements. Further, officials have seized 367 kg of ready-to-eat savouries, 4 kg of cocoa powder, 4.5 kg of cracked cocoa beans, 6 kg of khova and 196 kg of fennel powder during the inspection drive.
Food products worth Rs 5.99 lakh seized
In total, food products valued at approximately Rs 5.99 lakh were seized during the special inspection drive. The Department of Food Safety and Drug Administration has stated that further legal action will be initiated against the concerned establishments, in accordance with the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The Food safety department reiterated that ensuring safe, hygienic and quality food for consumers remains a priority and that strict enforcement action will continue against establishments found violating food safety standards.
