Nagpur FDA seizes 3,938 kg of adulterated food during Navratri, collects Rs 6.21 lakh in fines

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ran a drive against adulteration in Nagpur during the Navratri festival. About 3,938 kg of food products stated to be adulterated were seized, and 81 food samples have been sent for testing.

The FDA said the inspection drive was carried out across the city during the festival so that citizens get safe food free of adulteration. Department teams collected the 81 samples from various establishments in the city. The 3,938 kg of assorted products were also seized in the same action.

The FDA has recovered fines totalling Rs 6,21,064 from traders who committed serious violations of the rules. The action has caused panic among food and sweet sellers in the city.

Anticipating adulteration in the festive season, the FDA had finalised its preparations in advance. From the first days of the festival, separate teams of officials went out for surprise inspections in different zones of the city, wholesale markets and retail shops.

The quality of khoa, paneer, sweets and edible oils was checked closely. The quality of sabudana and water chestnut (singhara) flour, used during fasts, was also examined.

Krishna Jaipurkar, Joint Commissioner of the FDA in Nagpur, said no tampering with the public's health would be tolerated. According to him, the team is keeping a close watch throughout Navratri.

Jaipurkar said inspections for Dhammachakra Pravartan Din would begin from Saturday. Where any shortcoming is found, an opportunity to rectify it will be given. He also said preparations for Diwali have been started after Navratri. The FDA thus plans to keep watch on the city's markets throughout the series of festivals.