Patiala News:SDM and DHO Meet Sweet Shop Owners, Dairy Sellers Ahead of Festive Season in Nabha

Food business operators directed to ensure food safety, hygiene and proper traceability of dairy products

Ahead of the festive season, SDM Nabha APS Somal, along with District Health Officer (DHO) Dr. Gurpreet Kaur, held a meeting with sweet shop owners, dairy product sellers and representatives of dairy associations in Nabha to sensitise them about food safety standards and hygiene practices.

Food Safety Officers Jaswinder Singh and Gaurav Kumar were also present at the meeting.

During the meeting, food business operators were directed to exercise utmost caution while procuring and selling food products, particularly paneer and khoya, which are widely used in the preparation of sweets. They were advised to avoid sourcing these products from unreliable or unverified suppliers and to ensure that all ingredients used in food preparation meet the prescribed safety and quality standards.

DHO Dr. Gurpreet Kaur emphasised the importance of maintaining proper purchase records, bills, invoices and supplier details, particularly for paneer, khoya and other dairy products procured from outside the state. She directed the operators to ensure proper verification and traceability of products in compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the rules and regulations framed thereunder.

The food business operators were also instructed to maintain cleanliness and hygienic conditions at their establishments, follow good manufacturing and hygiene practices, and ensure that only safe and wholesome food products are offered to consumers.

The officials emphasised that the Food Safety Department would intensify inspections and sampling drives during the festive season. Any violations of prescribed food safety standards would invite strict action in accordance with the law.

The department appealed to all sweet shop owners and dairy product sellers to cooperate with the authorities and ensure the availability of safe, hygienic and quality food products for the public during the festive season.