The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has intensified its enforcement drive against food products violating safety norms, seizing 23,965 kg of stock valued at Rs 47 lakh from two dairy establishments in Nagpur, with cheese analogue (paneer) forming the major focus of the action. Under the Safe Food, Safe Maharashtra campaign, FDA officials inspected Chandra Dairy at Pili Nadi, Wanjra, and Shivam Dairy Food Products at Ita Bhatti Chowk on August 6. Samples of curd, cheese analogue and skimmed milk powder were collected from Chandra Dairy for analysis. Following the inspection, 22,035 kg of stock valued at about Rs 42.31 lakh was seized. At Shivam Dairy Food Products, officials collected a sample of cheese analogue for analysis and seized 1,930 kg of stock valued at about Rs 4.63 lakh. Curd and cheese analogue totalled 13,866 kg worth Rs 12,16,630, from both the businesses, was destroyed by the officials on the spot.

 

The action has been initiated under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and relevant rules and regulations. The FDA has also initiated action against a prominent bakery’s factory in city, after officials found labelling deficiencies on rusk containing artificial sweetener INS 9.1. The mandatory declarations relating to artificial/non-nutritive sweeteners were reportedly absent. A total of 9,827 kg of rusk worth Rs 14.13 lakh was seized. Separately, during inspections conducted in the Nagpur Division between August 7 and 9, two establishments were found with prohibited food products. The FDA seized stock worth Rs 5,500, registered two FIRs and arrested three persons. The department has appealed to citizens to report information regarding the manufacture, sale, storage and transportation of prohibited food products to the FDA or concerned authorities.