In a significant development, the Additional District Magistrate (ADM) LR Verma of Sirmaur has imposed fines totaling Rs 4 lakh on various food companies for breaching the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) norms. The ADM’s court handled 28 cases involving substandard food samples collected from across the district.
Substandard Food Products
The penalties were levied on companies from multiple states, including Delhi, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, and Haryana. These cases arose from food product samples collected by the district’s Food Safety Department, which, when tested, failed to meet the stringent FSSAI standards. The time period from July to September saw the court resolve all 28 cases.
Fines on Specific Companies
Among the fined companies, one from Maharashtra was penalized Rs 50,000 for non-compliance with food safety regulations. Another Delhi-based company faced a Rs 30,000 fine for selling poor-quality tomato puree. A Haryana-based company was fined Rs 35,000 due to issues with mustard oil. Other products like milk, paneer, ghee, mushrooms, tea leaves, besan, and semolina also failed to pass safety checks, leading to further penalties.
Vigilance During Festival Season
These fines were imposed under Sections 51 and 52 of the FSSAI Act, which address violations related to food safety and quality. With the ongoing festival season, the Food Safety Department has intensified surveillance, particularly focusing on sweets and other seasonal food items. Regular sampling and spot checks are being conducted to ensure compliance with food safety regulations.
Mobile Food Testing Van Deployed
To enhance monitoring, a mobile food testing van has been deployed across Sirmaur, conducting on-the-spot checks. A Food Safety official confirmed the resolution of the cases and emphasized the department’s heightened alertness during the festive period to safeguard public health.
