DFCO seizes 21 quintals of synthetic cheese, 78 tins of expired mustard oil in Jammu

Jammu, Aug 23: In a major crackdown against adulterated and unsafe food, Drugs and Food Control Organization (DFCO), Jammu Saturday seized 21 quintals of suspected synthetic cheese (Paneer) and 78 tins of expired Mustard Oil from Gangyal in Jammu outskirts.

Giving a detailed account of the raid, the Commissioner, Food & Drugs Administration (FDA), J&K, Smita Sethi, who supervised the drive, said that the seizure was made during ongoing special enforcement inspection drives in compliance with directions from the government.

“Samples of the suspected synthetic paneer were also lifted on-site for laboratory analysis under FSSA norms,” she said.

According to Sethi, a team from the Drugs and Food Control Organization (DFCO), Jammu, on the basis credible inputs, conducted a major enforcement action and unearthed a massive stockpile of unsafe and adulterated food products including 21 quintals of suspected synthetic paneer emitting a foul and putrid smell and 78 tins of expired mustard oil stored in insanitary conditions at Pandita Mohalla, Gangyal, Jammu.

During the drive carried out by the Deputy Commissioner, Food Safety Jammu, Madan Mangotra and his team comprising the Food Safety officers, it was found that the food items were found to be in violation of the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), including breaches with respect to storage under insanitary conditions, improper storage, labelling provisions and operating without a valid FSSAI license.

“The raid was carried out with active support and inputs from the SHO Satwari, officials from Jammu Municipal Corporation and GRP Railway Police, making it a successful and precise operation. This enforcement raid marks another major success in the department’s ongoing campaign to crack down on food adulteration,” Sethi said.

The Commissioner further said that such violations, often found to surge during the summer season, posing an immediate threat to public health.

She however, reaffirmed the department’s zero-tolerance policy towards food adulteration and warned all Food Business Operators (FBOs) to strictly adhere to safety norms.

Sethi revealed that the FBOs would be booked under various provisions of the FSSA for dealing in expired food items and legal action under FSS Act was initiated.

She further added that these enforcement drives would continue rigorously across the UT of Jammu and Kashmir to curb the menace of food adulteration.

However, given the significance of nature of the violations, the department has called on the general public to be vigilant and report any suspected cases of adulteration at the department’s toll-free helpline for Consumer Complaints: 104, for speedy action.

Earlier, the department had issued advisories on unpermitted colours and storage and labelling of meat and meat products, for information of the FBOs and stakeholders, the advisories also contained guidance on hygienic storage conditions, temperature control for perishables, prohibition on the use of non permitted food colours.