Over 25% food samples fail test in Sangrur dist

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, June 18

Over 25 per cent food samples, collected from January to May, failed the test under the Food Safety and Standards Act. Of the 256 food samples collected, 66 samples could not meet the standards.

Dr Surinder Singla, District Health Officer (DHO) and Designated Officer, Food Safety, said the state food analyst declared four samples (two of packaged drinking water and two of cold drinks) ‘unsafe for human consumption’.

He said legal action would be taken against food business operators with a maximum punishment of life imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh.

He further said of the remaining failed food samples, 32 had been declared substandard and 17 misbranded as these did not carry complete information.

Dr Singla said the failed samples included 12 of curd, 11 of milk, three of cheese, three of desi ghee, three of bakery items, three of pulses, two of sherbet, eight of noodles, six of mustard oil and two of pan masala.

Dr Singla said in the case of substandard food items the accused could be fined up to Rs 5 lakh, misbranded food items Rs 3 lakh and misleading item Rs 10 lakh.