Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Maharashtra has seized mawa and mithai worth Rs 3.28 lakh till September 9, 2012. For the safety of the consumers this festive season, FDA will be carrying out a special drive to check out the adulteration all over the state.
Speaking to FnB News, K B Sankhe, joint commissioner, food, FDA, informed, “Since the new food act came into force on August 5, 2011, there were only a few cases. This year till September 9, we have collected 109 samples of mithai and mawa from all over Maharashtra and awaiting for the reports.”
He further added, “In the reports if the products collected by us is of unsafe and injurious to health then the party will be prosecuted, if it is a minor adulteration the matter will go to the adjudicating officer and if found to be of sub-standard quality, then the culprits can be fined upto Rs 10 lakh.”
“Contaminated and adulterated mawa is manufactured in Gujarat and it is being sold on a wide scale in Maharashtra. Gujarat is popular for this food item as it is one of the largest producers of milk and milk is the primary ingredient in mawa and mithai,” informed the source from FDA on the condition of anonymity.
“This Diwali, we have planned to focus on mawa and mithai, because they are a major ingredient in all sweet products. We will carry out surprise raids all over Maharashtra in sweet shops and will not spare anyone if found involved in adulteration,” added Sankhe.
FDA is also appealing the people to come ahead and report about the adulteration during the festive season.
