Indore Intensifies Food Checks for Raksha Bandhan

The Food Department in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, has intensified its campaign against food adulteration ahead of Raksha Bandhan.

The department began preparations nearly a month ago and has been conducting special inspections to check the quality of milk and milk-based products.

More than 200 samples have been collected so far, and those that fail to meet prescribed food safety standards are being sent for further action against the concerned establishments.

The department will now focus on sweets, as demand for them increases sharply during the festival season.

Teams will inspect sweet shops and manufacturing units across the city and collect samples of sweets, mawa, ghee, cooking oil, and other food products.

Officials will also check hygiene conditions at these establishments, and shops or manufacturing units found operating in unhygienic conditions will be issued notices and face action as per rules.

Chief Food Safety Officer Manish Swami said teams are carrying out inspections and sampling in different parts of the city, and action would be taken against establishments violating food safety norms.

Indore has more than 5,000 sweet shops, making the city an important market during festivals.

The department will pay special attention to the quality of mawa and other milk-based products.

Special checks will also be conducted at bus and railway stations, as large quantities of mawa and sweets arrive in Indore from nearby districts and smaller towns.

However, staff shortage remains a challenge, with only 11 posts sanctioned in the district, while officials estimate that around 25 personnel are needed considering the city's population and the large number of food establishments.

Gastroenterologist Dr Amit Agrawal warned that adulterated food can harm health, and prolonged consumption of harmful colours, chemicals, and poor-quality ingredients may increase the risk of stomach, liver, and kidney problems, particularly among children and elderly people.

The Food Department's efforts are crucial in ensuring that people get safe and quality food during Raksha Bandhan.

The festival is a significant occasion in India, and the demand for sweets and other food products increases substantially during this time.

The department's campaign against food adulteration is a step in the right direction, and it is essential to maintain the quality of food products to prevent health risks.

In conclusion, the Indore Food Department's intensified checks for Raksha Bandhan are a necessary measure to ensure the safety and quality of food products, and it is crucial for the department to continue its efforts to prevent food adulteration and protect public health.