Pun govt intensifies drive against sale of adulterated sweets

Punjab government has intensified the on-going drive against the sale of adulterated sweets in the state, with Health Department officials raiding the shops and godowns suspected to be selling, storing and manufacturing such products.
Punjab Health and Family Welfare minister Surjit Kumar Jiyani directed the District Health Officers to act tough against thoses selling, adulterated and contaminated food items.
He said the government has already issued notice to take strict action against sale of such items.
The health department has launched a campaign against the sale of impure food items including sweets, khoya (condensed milk) and other milk especially during the ongoing festival season.

"With a view to ensuring purity in the sweets and other eatables, traders have been inspected by the Department of Food and Supplies across the state, he said.
Staggering traders will be prosecuted for selling commodities in violation of health and safety norms, he added.

He said that in order to keep strict vigil on the milk products and khoya coming from other states, the Minister said that all the entry points including the railway stations, bus stands have been guarded against adulterated food items.
"The adulterated food items would be destroyed then and there by the special task force deputed at various sensitive points," Jayani said.

He said that according to the Food Safety and Standards Act, the punishment for selling adulterated food is seven years imprisonment and a Rs 10 lakh fine.
For selling sub-standard food one could face a maximum fine of Rs 10 lakh, he said, adding that for death caused by adulterated food, the offender could face life time jail term.