Lakhimpur District Unit of MASS & AAHYC Decry Sale of Adulterated, Unsafe Food Products

A CORRESPONDENT

LAKHIMPUR: Two organizations of Lakhimpur became vocal on Saturday regarding the rampant sale of various adulterated and unsafe food products in the market and commercial institutions of the district.

Organizing a press conference at North Lakhimpur Press Club, Lakhimpur district unit of Manab Adhikar Sangram Samiti (MASS) and All Assam Hindu Youth Council (AAHYC) alleged that around 500 brands of food products were being unabatedly sold in the markets of the district. As support of their complaint, the dignitaries of the organizations displayed almost 50 such products, along with their list, which were purchased by the activists from around 10 commercial institutions of the markets in North Lakhimpur town.

Addressing the media persons, Lakhimpur MASS secretary Raju Singha mentioned some examples of these food products like Big Grunch manufactured by New Okan, Mix Fruit by Sonu, Kissan Mixture by Matar, Spiderman Chapata by Ghosh Food, Macau Pan by SBM Foods, Moto Patlu GRC Biscuits, Moto Patlu by Dip Sticks, Pratima by Pratima, Motor by DP Daulat, Ice Lolly by Fresh Food Indust, Big En Joy by Mr. Sweet, Football by Kamco, Candy by KIM, Peanut Bar by New Eagle, Borfi, Ladu Kaju by Jyoti Sweets, Chana by Swastik Badam, Candy by Shiv Sapan, 20 Anna Chana by Krisna, Choco Club by Hugs and Milk Peda by Chetan Sweets.

“Most of these products are popular among the children. But the matter of concern is that the manufacturer companies have mentioned the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) number on the label of some of these products but records of most of the companies were not found when investigated. Moreover, the licences of some companies have already expired or some have not mentioned anything about the standard of their product. For example, the FSSAI number record of New Okan producing Big Grunch, Matar producing Kissan Mixture and Ghosh Food producing Spiderman Chpata were not found while the licence of Sonu producing Mix Fruit and SBM Food producing Macau Pan had already expired. On the other hand, GRC Biscuits producing Moto Patlu has no chocolate permit. Most of the aforesaid companies have not mentioned the manufacturing date of their products and their validity of use. Despite such circumstances, these products are easily sold in the markets of the district,” Singha further added.

Regarding the issue, he came down heavily against the senior Food Safety Officer and the Food Safety Officer of Lakhimpur headquarter. He alleged that they had not performed their inspection works well with regard to ensuring the safety and standard of these food products by collecting their sample, investigating about the FSSAI numbers and details about the license record of the companies.

“The Senior Food Safety Officer has been working in Lakhimpur for 15 years. He illegally collects money from the businessmen of the town. This complaint was made before us by the businessmen when we went to them to purchase the products displayed in the press conference. In this regard, we have urged Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and State Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to declare an inquiry against him,” Singha said.

Lakhimpur secretary of AAHYC, Shambhu Singha also became vocal against the Food Safety Officers and the Joint Director of the District Health Services. He stated that he had not got any information about the results of the collected samples of food products during the past years which were sent to the food analyst, Government of Assam, even after applying through the RTI Act, 2005 to the Joint Director of the district. He further alleged that those companies had violated the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 regarding the marketing of their illegal products without following the guidelines of the FSSAI which was created under the said Act to regulate the food sector of the country.

Under such circumstances, both organizations demanded the district administration to take steps against these adulterated, unsafe food products immediately or to face strong agitation. They issued warning to the businessmen of the district too not to sell such products.

Also Read: The Food & Drug Administration, Assam Bans Sale of Bailley Packaged Water