Patna: Bihar’s Health Department intensified inspections against food adulteration on September 12, with food safety teams taking action in Hajipur, Darbhanga and Patna districts.
The operations, conducted under the direction of Health Secretary-cum-Food Safety Commissioner Kumar Ravi, involved inspections, raids, sample collection and destruction of food products found to be adulterated, expired or spoiled, according to the department.
72kg Adulterated Paneer Destroyed In Hajipur
At Station Road in Hajipur, Vaishali district, food safety officials found 14kg of paneer at Sudhir Kirana Shop to be adulterated with starch. The product was seized and destroyed on the spot.
A further 58kg of paneer from Shri Ganesh Paneer House was also destroyed after being found to contain starch. Samples were collected and sent to a laboratory, with further legal action to follow based on the test reports, the department said.
Expired Milk And Spoiled Paneer Destroyed In Darbhanga
In Benipur, Darbhanga district, a Food Safety Officer inspected the Sudha Milk Parlour at Ashapur Chowk.
The inspection found 21 litres of expired milk and 18kg of spoiled paneer. Both products were destroyed immediately in accordance with food safety procedures. Samples were also collected for laboratory testing.
126 Litres Of Milk Destroyed In Fatuha
Food safety officials inspected milk and paneer at Rajiv Dairy near Tedhi Pul in Sabalpur, Fatuha, Patna district.
According to the Health Department, milk samples tested positive for formalin. Around 126 litres of milk were subsequently destroyed, while samples were collected for further examination.
Six Samples Collected At Food Supplement Facility
A joint team from the Food Safety Department, Drug Inspectorate, AYUSH Directorate and police also inspected Alexa Foods and Supplements at Bajitpur in Fatuha.
Officials found food supplements, raw materials, manufacturing equipment and finished and semi-finished products at the facility. Six samples were collected and sent for testing as per the prescribed procedure.
The department said no medicines other than food supplements were found and no objectionable or suspicious substances were confirmed during the inspection. The proprietor also provided information about the manufacturing process and the relevant food manufacturing licence.
Inspections To Continue
The Health Department said further action in the cases would be taken based on laboratory reports, documents and inspection findings.
Kumar Ravi said food business operators must comply with prescribed food safety standards and must not store, use or sell expired, spoiled, adulterated or otherwise unsafe food products. The department said inspections and enforcement activities would continue across the state.
