15 baskets of mawa found lying open near garbage at Khandwa petrol pump; food safety team takes samples

A case of negligence in the transport and handling of food items has come to light again in Khandwa city. On Wednesday morning, 15 baskets filled with mawa were found lying in the open near a heap of garbage at a petrol pump on Indore Naka.

The mawa had been brought to Khandwa from Ratlam by bus. Instead of being delivered to its intended destination, it was unloaded and left at the petrol pump. On news of the mawa lying in the open near the garbage, workers of Hindu organisations reached the spot. They objected and informed administrative officials.

After being informed, a team from the Food Safety Department reached the spot and began taking samples of the mawa. According to the information available, each basket held about 25 kg of mawa. Officials said the whole consignment weighs roughly three quintals. Zakir, the health officer of the municipal corporation, and Food Safety Officer Radheshyam Gole also came to the spot. They examined the condition of the mawa and carried out sampling. Officials said further action will be taken on the basis of the test report.

Sawan Jaiswal, who runs Lalaji Mawa shop in Kaharwadi, also reached the spot. He told officials that the mawa had been ordered from Ratlam. Porters had been sent to unload the goods from the bus, but they could not arrive on time. The bus driver therefore unloaded the baskets at the petrol pump and left. Jaiswal said five of the baskets in the consignment were his.

Some of the baskets at the spot were torn, and the entire consignment was lying in the open near the garbage heap. People from the organisations were angry at food being left this way. They demanded that officials take action against those who are negligent in the transport and handling of food items. The quality of the mawa will now become clear from the Food Safety Department's test report.