Patna: The Food Safety Department has approved prosecution in 11 cases after laboratory tests found food samples containing prohibited colours, contaminants and other irregularities across Bihar.
Kumar Ravi, Health Secretary and Commissioner of Food Safety, has granted approval to initiate prosecution under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Officials have been directed to file the cases before the competent courts.
Court Action Ordered
According to the Food Safety Department, violations were detected in samples collected during inspections across multiple districts. The department said further action will be taken according to the provisions of the food safety law.
The cases involve products ranging from turmeric powder, besan laddu, paneer and edible oil to fennel seeds, coriander powder and sweets.
Irregularities Found In Samples
Araria: Metanil Yellow was detected in a turmeric powder sample collected from M/s Centre for National Development Initiative, Sisauna Basti. Oil-soluble colour and starch were also found in a coriander powder sample collected from the same establishment.
Sheikhpura: Metanil Yellow was found in a besan laddu sample collected from M/s Shiv Shankar Hotel, Barbigha.
Bhojpur: Lead chromate was detected in a turmeric sample collected from M/s Santosh Kirana Shop, Shahpur.
Jamui: Metanil Yellow was found in a besan laddu sample collected from M/s Gopal Hotel and Sweets Shop, Maharajganj Chowk.
Purnia: Extraneous or added colour was detected in an okra (bhindi) sample collected from M/s Monaj Poddar, Banmankhi.
Sitamarhi: A multi-source edible vegetable oil sample collected from M/s Ganpati Traders had an acid value above the prescribed limit and contained oil-soluble synthetic colour.
Muzaffarpur: A sample of ‘Roll Barfi’ collected from M/s Gokul Sweets was found to contain aluminium foil instead of silver leaf (chandi ka vark).
Patna: Lead chromate was detected in a turmeric powder sample collected from M/s Manufacturing Unit of The London Bakery (Kavya Enterprises), Danapur.
Patna: Fast Green FCF was detected in a fennel seeds sample collected from M/s Nikhil Enterprises, Gulzarbagh.
Khagaria: A paneer sample collected from M/s Roshan Paneer contained formalin and starch, while its fat content was below the prescribed standard.
Further Action
The Food Safety Department said inspections and action against violations of prescribed food standards will continue across the state.
The department has also directed the concerned officials to pursue the approved prosecution cases before the competent courts
