Jammu, August 23 : The Drugs and Food Control Organization (DFCO), Jammu, has seized 21 quintals of suspected synthetic paneer and 78 tins of expired mustard oil during a major enforcement drive at Pandita Mohalla, Gangyal, Jammu.
Acting on credible inputs, a team led by Deputy Commissioner, Food Safety Jammu, Madan Mangotra, along with Food Safety Officers and with active support from the SHO Satwari, Jammu Municipal Corporation, and GRP Railway Police, unearthed a large stockpile of unsafe food items stored in insanitary conditions.
Officials said the paneer emitted a foul, putrid smell and the expired mustard oil was being stored improperly, in violation of the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA). The premises were also found operating without a valid FSSAI license and breaching provisions related to storage and labeling.
Commissioner, Food & Drugs Administration, J&K, Smita Sethi, who supervised the operation, said samples of the paneer have been sent for laboratory testing. “Such violations, often more common during the summer months, pose a serious threat to public health. We have a zero-tolerance policy towards food adulteration and strict legal action has been initiated against the offenders,” she said.
She urged all Food Business Operators (FBOs) to strictly follow safety norms and warned of continued strict enforcement drives across Jammu and Kashmir. The public has been asked to stay vigilant and report any suspected cases of adulteration to the department’s toll-free consumer helpline at 104 for prompt action.
Earlier, the department had issued advisories to FBOs on hygienic storage conditions, temperature control for perishables, labeling and prohibition of unpermitted colors in meat and food products.
(Gulistan News)
