As Diwali nears, food safety is a major issue across Maharashtra as sweets and traditional festive snacks are in demand. At an inspection in Pune recently, Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe personally inspected laddoos at a festive food sale and highlighted the need for quality and food safety.
The inspection took place on the occasion of inauguration of Poona Merchants Chamber’s annual laddoo and chivda sales programme. The organisation has been running this programme to make traditional Diwali snacks available at affordable prices to consumers under no profit no loss model.
Mundhe picked up a laddoo and broke it open to check its texture, oil content and appearance. He also checked whether artificial or harmful colours had been used in its preparation. Mundhe’s hands-on inspection showed that food manufacturers and sellers need to maintain proper standards especially during the festive season.
Did the Laddoos Pass the Quality Test
The laddoos and other food samples for the initiative had already been tested by FDA. Mundhe said the samples met quality parameters prescribed by them.
One area of inspection was food colours. FDA had told organisers not to use unnecessary artificial colours and to use natural alternatives wherever possible.
The colour content in the tested samples was said to be around 30 parts per million (PPM) against the permissible limit of 100 PPM for the category being tested. So the samples passed the test requirements.
Mundhe also thanked the organisers for following food safety recommendations issued by the department.
Nearly Two Lakh Kilograms of Festive Snacks
The Poona Merchants Chamber’s annual initiative started in 1988 prepares about two lakh kilograms of laddoos and chivda. These are sold through outlets in Pune and other districts.
The organisation has also improved food preparation practices. About 2,000 workers have been trained (according to reports) and medical check-ups arranged for food handlers.
Mundhe suggested appointing a technical supervisor for every 25 to 30 workers so that hygiene and food preparation standards were maintained consistently.
तुकाराम मुंडे ईमानदार अधिकारी जिसने जो जागरूकता देश के भीतर महाराष्ट्र से शुरू की है खाने पीने की चीजों की शुद्धता की जांच करने का तरीका अभी हाथ में लड्डू लेकर बता देते हैं कि इसमें कितनी मिलावट है। यह उनकी ईमानदारी का परिचय है देश को अब ऐसे ही अधिकारियों की जरूरत है https://t.co/IlEPPS4gWg
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FDA Steps Up Diwali Food Safety Inspections
The Pune inspection is part of a statewide Maharashtra FDA drive against food adulteration ahead of Diwali. The department has stepped up surveillance on sweet shops, manufacturers, retailers and establishments selling festive food products.
Mundhe has warned manufacturers against using excessive artificial colours (especially motichoor laddoos and jalebis). The department is also monitoring edible oils, spices, milk products and dry fruits.
The FDA has been inspecting businesses and taking action against those that violate food safety regulations; consumers have been urged to report suspected adulteration using the department’s online complaint portal.
What Should Consumers Keep in Mind
The FDA has urged people to buy sweets from licensed stores, check manufacturing and best-before dates on packaged products. Consumers should also watch out for unusually bright colours, foul smells or improperly stored food.
Mundhe’s laddoo inspection has raised the alarm bells on festive food safety again. Though the samples tested at Poona Merchants Chamber passed quality checks, FDA’s larger inspection campaign will continue so that unsafe and adulterated products do not reach consumers.
As Diwali shopping ramps up the message is clear: festive treats should be fun but food safe.
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