Kanpur FSDA Launches Major Food Safety Operation, Seizes Contaminated Goods
In a significant crackdown on food adulteration, the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) in Kanpur has seized a massive quantity of unfit food items, including dates and mawa, during extensive raids across the district. The enforcement action highlights ongoing efforts to safeguard public health from substandard consumables.
Large-Scale Confiscation of Dates and Mawa
The FSDA teams confiscated 9,794 kilograms of dates, valued at approximately Rs 34,90,260, from various locations in the district. According to Food Safety Officer Sanjay Pratap Singh, the dates were seized from four vendors in the Sachendi area after inspections revealed the stock was unfit for human consumption and lacked proper labelling details. The entire consignment was confiscated, and samples were collected for laboratory examination to determine the extent of contamination.
In a separate incident, the department intercepted a four-wheeler transporting 741 kilograms of mawa, commonly used in sweets, from Bareilly to Kanpur. Upon detecting a foul smell, officials deemed the stock hazardous and destroyed it on the spot, with an estimated value of Rs 1,11,150. This swift action prevented the potentially harmful mawa from reaching consumers.
Oil Seizures and Additional Raids
Enforcement teams also targeted adulterated cooking oils during the raids. They seized 60 litres of refined soybean oil worth Rs 8,700, 609 kilograms of sunflower oil valued at Rs 1,38,197, and 872 kilograms of soybean oil worth Rs 1,29,058 from the Naubasta-Hanspuram area. These confiscations underscore the widespread nature of food safety violations in the region.
Comprehensive Sampling and Future Steps
Overall, the FSDA collected 23 samples of various edibles, including cheese and besan, during the operations. These samples will undergo rigorous laboratory testing to assess their safety and compliance with food standards. The department has emphasized its commitment to continuous monitoring and strict enforcement to curb malpractices in the food supply chain.
This crackdown serves as a stern warning to vendors and transporters involved in the distribution of substandard food products, aiming to enhance consumer protection and promote healthier eating practices in Kanpur.
