Nityanand Dubey
Garhwa
The Garhwa district administration intensified its crackdown on food adulteration ahead of Raksha Bandhan and Diwali, raiding sweet shops and manufacturing units in Shri Banshidhar Nagar and ordering the destruction of around 220kg of suspected adulterated sweets.
Two sweet factories were sealed and a total fine of Rs 1 lakh was imposed during the joint inspection conducted on the directions of Deputy Commissioner Pashupati Nath Mishra and Sub-Divisional Officer, Nagar Untari.
The inspection team, led by designated officer-cum-additional chief medical officer Dr R.S. Singh, food safety officer Kiran Hembrom and Nagar Panchayat executive officer Rajkamal, visited several establishments across the area.
At Shivam Sweets factory in Purnanagar, officials found 120kg of rasgulla and 10kg of parwal sweets containing excessive green colouring. The sweets were destroyed on the spot, while the unit was fined Rs 50,000 and sealed until further orders. Two samples of khoya sweets were also collected for laboratory testing.
At the nearby New Shivam Sweets factory, another 100kg of suspected rasgulla was destroyed after officials found waterlogging and unhygienic conditions. The unit was similarly fined Rs 50,000 and sealed.
The team also inspected Khappar Baba Sweets, Santosh Sweets, Banshidhar Sweets, Shri Lakshmi Hari Sweets and Aniket Palace and Restaurant. While Khappar Baba Sweets passed the inspection, samples of rasgulla and parwal sweets were collected for testing. An industrial hydra machine being used to clean sweets in violation of norms was seized at Shivam Sweets.
At Aniket Palace and Restaurant, spoiled paneer was found and destroyed.
Officials warned traders to maintain hygiene, display valid food licences, keep sweets covered and comply with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Further violations, they said, would invite stringent action.
