886 food samples found sub-standard in Delhi in 5 yrs

To curb food adulteration, Delhi Government has lifted over 14,700 samples of food items from major markets in the last five years out of which 886 were found sub-standard.
A total of 1,668 samples were tested in 2012, while 3,148 were sent to laboratories in 2011, officials said.
In 2010, the department of food safety had lifted 3,651 samples from the major markets, while the figures for 2009 and 2008 were 3,121 and 3,173 respectively, they said.
"A total of 14,761 samples were lifted from various markets in the last five years out of which 886 samples did not meet the prescribed standards," they said.

A maximum number of 931 samples were collected from Model Town area followed by Kotwali (840) and Connaught Place (805). Samples were lifted from a total of 27 market places.
The officials said legal action has been initiated against 39 traders as per provisions of Food Safety and Standards Act.
As per the legislation, manufacturers of adulterated food may face imprisonment up to seven years with fine of Rs 10 lakh. In case of death caused due to adulterated food items, the maximum punishment is life term with fine up to Rs 10 lakh.