SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Sept 29: The Dhanbad District Food Safety team on Monday imposed fines totalling ₹30,000 on more than a dozen sweet shops after several food items were found to be substandard and adulterated, in violation of the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006.
This was the first time the district food safety officials carried out a special drive to test sweets during the peak festive season of Durga Puja. The inspections were led by Food Safety Officer (FSO) Raja Kumar in Baliapur block on Monday evening. The team checked Rasgulla, Ladoo, Paneer, Khowa, sauce, and other popular items.
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Among the penalized outlets, the well-known Karmatand-based Arvind Sweets was fined ₹15,000 after adulterated spices in samosas and artificial coloring in laddoos were found harmful for consumption. Ganpati Sweets was fined ₹10,000 for unhygienic conditions at its premises, while Asani Sweets was penalized ₹2,000 for using non-edible coloring.
In a particularly shocking incident, a dead cockroach was found inside a rasgulla at Madan Sweets. The contaminated item was destroyed on the spot, and the shop was fined ₹2,000 for failing to maintain hygiene.
The team also collected around 40 kg of samples from various outlets, which have been sent to the State Food Testing Laboratory in Namkum, Ranchi, for further examination. “Action will be taken against shops selling adulterated or substandard food based on the lab reports,” FSO Raja Kumar said.
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Authorities have warned sweet shop operators to ensure proper hygiene and avoid using adulterated or unsafe food items. Failure to comply will invite strict action under the FSSA, 2006.