West Singhbhum District Launches Surprise Checks on Sweet Shops to Ensure Food Safety Ahead of Diwali

Jamshedpur: The West Singhbhum district administration conducted surprise checks in over two dozen sweet shops and food joints at Chaibasa market on Tuesday.Food safety officer (FSO) Dhaneshwar Hembrom said, “Four sweet shop owners, who were found to be operating without licenses, have been served notices.”“The team is keeping a close tab on the paneer, besan, haldi, flour and cooking oil being used by vendors and shop owners,” he added.“Focus is also on curbing the use of food colours, which are not worthy of human consumption, in the preparation of sweets. Samples have been collected and sent for testing at a laboratory near Ranchi,” the FSO stated.Hembrom stressed, “The administrtaion aims to ensure that people do not fall ill by consuming sweets and other food items prepared with adulterated materials during the upcoming festivals, including Diwali.”Similar checks, led by food department inspector Sanjay Kumar, were conducted in East Singhbhum district.The team found several anomalies in the items being served to customers during raids at road-side eating joints in Potka on the outskirts of Jamshedpur, sources said.“The shop owners have been warned that action would be taken against them if they are found to be repeat offenders,” Kumar said.The team collected samples and sent them for testing.

An employee in a private factory, Sayan Mukherjee, said, “Surprise raids should be conducted throughout the year so that customers get quality food at eating joints. But the district administration becomes active only during Holi and Diwali."Sweets and dry fruits worth crores are bought by locals in Kolhan for puja and gift distribution among relatives on Diwali.