Indifferent to adulteration, health dept lax in collecting food samples

Dept has to collect 100 samples each month. But is has failed to do so

Despite adulteration being a major concern in the city, the district health department is indifferent towards reining it in, which is reflected in it not meeting the targets of collecting samples.

According to the norms of state food and adulteration department, the four food safety officers (FSO) of the district are supposed to collect a total of 100 samples each month. But none of them met the target even once this year.

It was only in May when the department reached near its target by collecting 98 samples. In the rest of the months, a total of 186 samples were collected of which 32 failed tests.

The result for the 98 samples collected in May is yet to be received.

District health officer (DHO) Dr Abnash Kumar said, “We are aware of the target. But this is not the only task for an FSO. Also, targets are sometimes hard to meet in wake of limited resources, like absence of vehicles.”

Dr Kumar added that cases of failed samples were under consideration by higher authorities or courts.

He appealed to the public to be cautious while purchasing food items by checking their labels, expiry dates, etc., adding that they could report adulteration by submitting a request at civil surgeon’s office or calling 0161244-4193.

It is pertinent to mention that several samples of locally made chilly, tomato and mint sauces, besides mustard oil, chips, papad, cheese, milk and its products, biscuits, wheat porridge, gram flour, etc., have been found sub-standard in the city. Even synthetic colours were found in various items.