Report

Contaminated buckwheat flour sickened nearly 300 people in Dehradun, prompting Uttarakhand’s Food Safety and Drug Administration Department to enforce strict new rules. The department now mandates that grocers sell buckwheat flour only in sealed packets and only if they possess a valid food licence. It has completely banned loose or unauthorized sales across the state.

Top Officials Intervene, Guidelines Tightened

Food Safety Commissioner R. Rajesh Kumar announced the measures on Wednesday after receiving directives from Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Health Minister Dhan Singh Rawat. Under the revised rules, sellers must label each packet in compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. They must display the manufacturing and expiry dates, the seller’s food license number, and all mandatory details. Authorities have warned that they will take legal action against anyone who violates these rules.

Navratri Staple Under Scrutiny

Since people commonly consume buckwheat flour during Navratri, the department urged consumers to carefully check the packaging and buy only sealed, clearly labelled packets. As part of its crackdown on food adulteration, the department tested multiple buckwheat flour samples and found six that failed quality checks. Most of these samples contained mycotoxins—harmful compounds produced by mold. The State Food and Drug Testing Laboratory in Rudrapur conducted the tests. Officials confirmed that they would take legal action against the companies and retailers responsible for the contaminated products.

Source: Hinudstan Times