Dewas: 10.80 quintals of analogue mawa and sweets seized, FIR against one shop operator

A special inspection drive is under way in Dewas district ahead of Diwali to curb adulteration, stop misuse of domestic gas cylinders and ensure compliance with packaged commodity rules.

Inspection teams formed at the sub-division level on the orders of Collector Neha Meena took a total of 78 samples from 38 establishments in five days. The teams seized 10.80 quintals of analogue mawa and sweets made from it, valued at Rs 4,86,500. Thirty litres of milk were also seized.

A case has been registered at Nahar Darwaza police station against Ankur Jain, operator of New Swadeshi Sweets and Namkeen. He is alleged to have repeatedly used banned analogue mawa. Food Safety Officer Surendra Thakur got the FIR registered at Nahar Darwaza police station, Dewas. It invokes Sections 51, 52 and 55 of the Food Safety and Standards Act and Sections 274 and 275 of the BNS. It is alleged that sweets made from banned analogue mawa were being sold.

On November 5, 770 kg of analogue mawa and sweets made from it were seized from the same establishment and destroyed. Earlier, on August 26, around 300 kg of analogue mawa and sweets were also seized from Ankur Jain's establishment and destroyed.

As part of the drive, joint inspection teams of the Food Supply Department and the Food Safety Department inspected food establishments in Dewas city, Tonkkhurd, Satwas and Hatpipliya. The teams checked 15 establishments in all: 6 in Dewas city, 4 each in Satwas and Hatpipliya, and 1 in Tonkkhurd. In the action, a total of 25 kg of analogue mawa was seized from 3 establishments, and 5 kg of mawa barfi from one.

Analogue mawa was found at Shiv Shakti Milk Corner, Guru Kripa Mawa Bhandar and Shiv Shakti Mawa Bhandar. Ten kg each was seized from Shiv Shakti Milk Corner and Guru Kripa Mawa Bhandar, and 5 kg from Shiv Shakti Mawa Bhandar.

At Geetashree Sweets, 5 kg of mawa barfi was seized after barfi made from analogue mawa was found. At Rajasthani Sweets and Namkeen in Tonkkhurd, 2 domestic cylinders were seized as domestic gas cylinders were being used commercially. In Satwas, 15 samples were taken from 4 establishments in all, and in Hatpipliya, 9 samples from 4 establishments.