Health teams inspect pakoda shops in Jalandhar, 2 let off after warning

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, September 17

At least two shops were found selling pakodas made of substandard oil to customers during an inspection carried out by the Health Department here on Friday.

In view of the festival season and increase in the consumption of eatables and other food items, the department teams carried out inspections at various food establishments in the district.

The teams used Total Polar Materials (TPM) meters to check the quality of oil and the number of times it has been used by calculating the content of food particle residue left in oil by frying.

Inspections were also carried out in shops located along the Nakodar Road and in Bansan Vala Bazar, Central Town, Bhargo Camp, and in other markets and areas.

The teams, headed by District Health Officer Dr Arun Verma, carried out inspections at shops selling pakodas in the city. On the occasion, they were accompanied by Food Safety Officer Neha Sharma, LT Sarabjit Singh, Anil Surinder and others.

The health teams raided at least nine shops selling pakodas. Dr Arun Verma said in an attempt to ensure trans-fats-free food for people, the department had been conducting checks from time to time. The cooking oil used to fry pakodas was checked with the TPM meter. Warning notices were being issued to those shops which used substandard oil.

Dr Arun Verma said, “This was our first raid ahead of the festival season, so they have been let off with a warning. TPM at eateries at Nakodar Road and Central Town was very high. Raids will be intensified at all eateries during the peak of festival season.”