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Expired food products seized by food safety officials in Kochi godown
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Wednesday, 18 April, 2018, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Subhashri Iyer, Mumbai
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The recent seizure by officials from the district food safety department of stale and adulterated chocolate and children’s health and protein supplements from a godown in Marudu in Kochi, Kerala has raised doubts about the quality of food products flooding the market. The seized supplements include Milkos and Mulberry, which are brands manufactured by the Noida-based Mulberry Food Products. The godown had been functioning as a storage hub for over 50 reputed children’s food products manufacturers.
K V Shibu, assistant commissioner, food safety, Kerala, said, “It was found the expired food products were retaken and repacked and then further sent for distribution. The department has seized the samples of about 20 suspected products for failing to adhere to the quality standards laid down by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The department has submitted the samples to the Regional Chemical Centre and is awaiting the results.
“Manufacturers are indubitably involved in the sale of adulterated food supplements. The whole operation may have been carried out by the manufacturers as they seem to have distributed new labels to cover up these expired products,” said Shibu, adding, “There are certain types of food supplements that do not perish even after the expiry date. The workers have chosen those, wrapped new labels around them and sent them for further distribution.”
Meanwhile, the state food safety department initiated preliminary action against the culprits. “The company godown has been sealed and the license of the distributor has been suspended. A fine of Rs 1 lakh has been imposed on the distributor. Further action can only be taken when the Regional Chemical Centre gives the results,” stated Shibu. The police also registered a cheating case against the distribution centre under Sections 420 and 468 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Taking the clue from this incident, and to avoid further occurrences, a mass drive has been implemented from this month. “The officers will be collecting various food samples from shops and malls. These samples will be further sent to the regional analytical laboratory for checking. Officers will also be conducting surprise investigations at various godowns in the coming days. A special team has been constituted to associate with the health wing of the local body,” said Shibu.
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