— 216 SAMPLES COLLECTED; 101 IMPROVEMENT NOTICES AND 20 CHALLANS ISSUED TO DEFAULTERS
— HEALTH MINISTER DR BALBIR SINGH DIRECTS FBOs FOR STRICT ADHERENCE TO HYGIENE AND SAFETY STANDARDS
— SPECIAL DRIVES CONDUCTED FOR PANEER, KHOA, SWEET, AND BAKERY UNITS ACROSS THE STATE: COMMISSIONER FDA KANWALPREET BRAR
CHANDIGARH, September 21:
In view of the upcoming festival season, the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Punjab, through the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), has stepped up statewide food safety enforcement to ensure the availability of safe, wholesome, and hygienic food products for consumers.
Reiterating the commitment of the Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann toward public health, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh said that food safety remains a top priority of the state, particularly during the festive period when the demand for sweets, dairy products, and bakery items surges significantly.
Dr Balbir Singh urged all Food Business Operators (FBOs) to strictly comply with statutory food safety regulations and adopt fair, responsible, and clean practices. He directed FBOs to ensure proper sourcing and handling of raw materials, maintain sanitary conditions during preparation, and strictly refrain from any adulteration or substandard practices that could jeopardise public health. He warned that any compromise on food quality will invite stringent legal proceedings under the Food Safety and Standards Act.
Giving details of the ground enforcement, Commissioner FDA Punjab Kanwalpreet Brar stated that a series of targeted drives have been launched across the state.
On September 12 and 13, a statewide drive targeting paneer and khoa was executed, during which 216 samples were taken and dispatched to the State Food Laboratory for detailed testing. Appropriate legal action will be initiated as per the Food Safety and Standards Act and Rules once the analysis reports are received.
Continuing the crackdown, the Commissioner said that FDA teams conducted a specialised inspection campaign on September 19 and 20 across sweet and bakery manufacturing units to assess sanitary and hygienic compliance. Out of 250 inspections carried out across Punjab, 101 improvement notices were served to operators falling short of compliance, while 20 challans were issued on the spot for violations, she said.
Commissioner Kanwalpreet Brar affirmed that intensive monitoring, surveillance, and surprise checks will continue unabated throughout the festive season. She advised all food establishments to proactively meet statutory hygiene mandates.
The Health Department and FDA Punjab also appealed to citizens to stay alert, make informed purchases, and procure sweets, dairy items, and bakery products only from reliable and compliant food establishments.
