Port Blair, Oct 28: The Food Safety department under District Administration is regularly conducting inspections and sampling of all kinds of food articles like cereals, pulses, spices and condiments, edible oils, beverages, packaged drinking water, sweets and sweet meats, bakery products, savouries, milk and milk products etc.
Inspections and sampling at fruit markets, vegetable markets, fish markets and animal slaughtering places are also carried out regularly. The Food Safety regulators as well as technical team of Mobile Food Testing Laboratory are also conducting awareness drives among the general public as well as food business operators and sensitizing all concerned regarding the adverse effects of food adulteration, use of chemicals like carbide/acetylene gas for artificial ripening of fruits and use of ammonia/formalin for preservation of fish products etc.
So far the department has collected 231 Nos. of samples of fruits and vegetables for its analysis through NABL accredited and FSSAI notified laboratory. Out of 231 samples, reports of 221 samples have been received and all the samples were found free from adulterants or other chemicals. The reports of 10 samples are awaited. The Clause 2.3.5 of (Prohibition & Restriction of Sales) Regulations, 2011, provides that fresh fruits may be artificially ripened by use of ethylene gas at a concentration upto 100 ppm depending upon the crop, variety and maturity since ethylene, being a natural hormone does not pose any health hazard to consumers. Further clause 2.3.6 of (Prohibition & Restriction of Sales) Regulations, 2011, fresh fruits may be coated with bees wax (white and yellow) or carnauba wax or shellac wax at level not exceeding Good Manufacturing Practices under proper label declaration as provided under clause 2.4.5(44) of Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labeling) Regulations, 2011.
The Food Safety Department is also keeping a strict vigil on all food products arriving from mainland and samples are also collected for its analysis. The Commissioner Food Safety, Andaman & Nicobar Islands/Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman District has warned all the FBOs to refrain from using any chemicals or preservatives in food items which are not permitted under the Act.
The general public may lodge any complaints or grievance on toll free No. 1077 (District Control Room) or 03192236168 or 9531888844 (Whatsapp).
