Early Times Report
JAMMU, Sept 10: The Food & Drugs Administration (FDA), J&K conducted a food safety enforcement drive along the Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch National Highway to verify compliance with the prescribed requirements relating to food safety, hygiene, sanitation, food handling, storage, labelling and packaging.
During the drive, dhabas, restaurants, retail outlets and other Food Business Operators (FBOs) operating along the National Highway were inspected with regard to conditions of food preparation, storage and handling, personal hygiene, sanitation and compliance with the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Packaged food products available at the establishments were also scrutinized with regard to prescribed labelling and packaging requirements. As many as 10 food samples were lifted from different establishments and forwarded to the concerned food testing laboratories for analysis against the prescribed safety and quality parameters.
Simultaneously, FDA J&K conducted a survey under the Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (RUCO) initiative in Jammu, Udhampur, Samba, Kathua, Srinagar, Anantnag, Pulwama and Baramulla districts. The initiative is aimed at bringing more food establishments within the prescribed mechanism for the collection and proper disposal of used cooking oil through FSSAI-enrolled aggregators. Earlier, around 100 food establishments have been registered with FSSAI-enrolled aggregators and the present survey was undertaken to expand the coverage of the RUCO initiative and prevent the improper reuse or unauthorized disposal of used cooking oil.
Under the survey, 428 Food Business Establishments (FBOs) were covered to assess the practices being followed for the generation, handling, storage and disposal of used cooking oil. The establishments were sensitized about the prescribed requirements and advised to ensure that used cooking oil is not reused for food preparation once it exceeds the permissible limit and is disposed of only through authorized/FSSAI-enrolled aggregators.
The FDA J&K has also directed that any instance of unauthorized collection, misuse or improper disposal of used cooking oil by any agency or individual shall be immediately brought to the notice of the Food Safety Authorities. Any FBO or other entity found violating the prescribed provisions shall be proceeded against in accordance with law.
The FDA, J&K reiterated that the Total Polar Compounds (TPC) level in used cooking oil shall not exceed the prescribed limit of 25%, beyond which such oil is not permitted for use in food preparation. FBOs consuming more than 50 litres of cooking oil per day are required to maintain appropriate records of used cooking oil and ensure its disposal through the prescribed channels.
The misuse of Repurposed Used Cooking Oil (RUCO) or used cooking oil for adulterating fresh edible oil is a serious violation, punishable under Section 57 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, with a penalty that may extend up to ?10 lakh.
Consumers are requested to report any suspected unsafe or adulterated food product through Toll-Free Helpline No. 104 or email at [email protected] |
