The Food Safety Team, Patiala continued its inspection and action drive on November 4 and 5 to ensure the availability of safe and hygienic food items to the people.
District Health Officer Dr. Gurpreet Kaur said that during this operation, the license of ‘Puri Bakery’ located in Nabha was suspended, as lack of cleanliness and unsanitary conditions were found there. Apart from this, two ‘improvement notices’ were issued to food traders for deficiencies in compliance with the prescribed food safety standards. Two challans were also issued for lack of cleanliness – one against ‘Puri Bakery’ of Nabha and the other against ‘Annapurna Bakers’ of Nabha.
He said that along with the action, the food safety team also conducted a sampling drive in different areas of the district. A total of 11 food samples were collected from Devigarh, Sanaur, Patiala Rural, Samana, Patran and Nabha areas.
He said that these samples included two samples of khoya, two samples of paneer and one sample of silverware from Devigarh, Sanaur and Patiala rural areas; while two samples of khoya, two samples of paneer and one sample of silverware were taken from Samana and Patran areas.
Dr. Gurpreet Kaur said that all the samples collected have been sent to the laboratory for testing to check their quality and compliance with the prescribed food safety standards. During this sampling drive, the owners of sweet shops and food traders were also made aware that only genuine, 100% pure and ‘food-grade’ silverware should be used for decorating sweets. They were instructed to ensure that the silverware used in food items is fit for human consumption and complies with the prescribed FSSAI standards.
The Food Safety Department reiterated that food business operators have been advised to maintain proper hygiene, procure raw materials only from reliable sources, and strictly comply with the ‘Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006’ and the rules made thereunder.
The department has appealed to the general public to purchase food items only from trusted sources and cooperate with authorities in ensuring food safety and public health.