Gur, sugar samples collected – Dr

Hoshiarpur/April 17/Daljeet Ajnoha ; Under the directions of Punjab Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Ms Kamalpreet Kaur Brar (IAS) and Deputy Commissioner Hoshiarpur Ms Ashika Jain (IAS), and on the instructions of Civil Surgeon Hoshiarpur Dr Mandeep Kamal, a continuous checking campaign is being conducted by the Food Safety team in the district to ensure the quality of food items. This is being overseen by Dr Jatinder Bhatia (Designated Officer-cum-District Health Officer, Hoshiarpur), with Food Safety Officer Vivek Kumar leading the efforts.
Following a complaint received during the campaign, one enforcement sample each of gur (jaggery) and sugar was collected from a jaggery production unit in village Dawida Ahirana on the Hoshiarpur-Phagwara Road to check for sugar adulteration. These samples have been sent to the Food Lab in Kharar for testing. If any sample is found to violate standards or contain adulteration upon receipt of the report, strict legal action will be taken against the concerned vendor under the Food Safety and Standards Act.
Strict instructions have been issued to all jaggery producers in the city not to mix any sugar or chemicals in jaggery. If adulteration is detected in anyone’s jaggery during inspections, action will be taken under the Food Safety and Standards Act.
DHO Dr Jatinder Bhatia and Food Safety Officer Vivek Kumar have directed all Food Business Operators (FBOs) to ensure compliance with mandatory FSSAI registration and licensing.
All FBOs have been strictly ordered to maintain proper hygiene and adhere to the standards prescribed under the Food Safety and Standards Act. They have also appealed to the general public to report any suspicions regarding the quality of food items to the health department or food safety officers.
The department will continue such strict and regular inspections to ensure that consumers and the public receive safe and quality food. Food Safety team members Ram Lubhaya and Arvinderjit were present on the occasion.