Patiala News:Food Safety team, Patiala Conducts special Drive; Over Five Quintals of Ghee Seized on Suspicion

The Food Safety team, Patiala, continued its intensified inspection, sampling and enforcement drive to ensure the availability of safe, wholesome and quality food products to consumers. As part of the ongoing drive, the Food Safety Team, Patiala, inspected various food business establishments in Patiala, including premises located in Gur Mandi and Jail Road, on 23 October.

During the special drive, the team collected a total of ten 10 food samples, including four samples of ghee and one sample of badam giri (almond kernels), for laboratory analysis to verify their quality, purity and compliance with the prescribed food safety standards.

During the drive, the Food Safety Team seized more than five quintals of ghee from Rajesh Traders on the basis of suspicion regarding its quality and conformity with the prescribed standards. The seized stock was taken into custody in accordance with the applicable legal procedure, and further action will be taken as per the findings of the investigation and laboratory analysis.

The samples collected during the inspections have been sent for analysis to ascertain whether the products meet the requirements prescribed under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the regulations made thereunder. Further legal action, as warranted, will be initiated on the basis of the laboratory reports and other relevant findings.

The inspection drive forms part of the department’s continued efforts to prevent the sale of potentially substandard or unsafe food products and to safeguard public health, particularly during the festive season, when the demand for products such as ghee and other food commodities increases.

The Food Safety Department, Patiala, reiterates its commitment to maintaining strict vigilance over food business establishments through regular inspections, systematic sampling and appropriate enforcement measures. All Food Business Operators (FBOs) are advised to maintain proper hygiene and sanitary conditions, procure food products from authorised and traceable sources, maintain the requisite purchase and supply records, and ensure that all food articles sold or stored at their premises comply with the prescribed quality and safety standards.

The department also appeals to consumers to purchase food products from reliable sources, check product labels and packaging wherever applicable, and remain vigilant against suspected food adulteration or other food safety violations. Any such concerns may be reported to the Food Safety Department for appropriate action