Key Update

During the ongoing Navratri celebrations, the Gurgaon Food Safety Department raided eight local shops and seized 16 food samples over concerns of adulteration in fasting items like kuttu atta (Buckwheat Flour), singhara atta (Water Chestnut Flour), sabudana(Tapioca Pearls), samak (Barnyard Millet), mustard oil, jaggery, and buura (Sugar Powder, often refers to powdered jaggery or sugar). The department targeted items prone to adulteration and in high demand during the festival. They sent the seized samples to a lab in Karnal for testing.

Unlicensed Shop and Unsafe Products Under Investigation 

At Swami Agencies in Shelta Colony, officials discovered the shop operating without an FSSAI license and seized multiple samples. They also caught another shop selling unpackaged and unlabelled food items, raising concerns about food safety. Authorities warned of legal action if any adulteration is confirmed, emphasising the risks of foodborne illnesses. They urged consumers to avoid unbranded products, recalling previous food poisoning incidents linked to unsafe goods.

Action Follow-up After March 2024 Food Safety Incident

This inspection comes after a food safety scare in March 2024, when ten people from Sector 14 fell ill after consuming fritters made with adulterated kuttu atta. Dr Ramesh Chauhan, a food safety official, confirmed that the department would take strict action if any samples prove substandard or adulterated. “We urge consumers to only purchase sealed, branded products from trustworthy vendors and report any suspicious shops,” he added. The department’s efforts aim to ensure safer, more reliable food choices for consumers during the festival season.

Source: The Times of India