Ahead of the festive Lohri celebrations, health authorities in Ludhiana launched a major food safety drive across the city on Friday. The initiative aimed to inspect sweet shops and bakeries, ensuring that all food items meet the required hygiene and safety standards for the public.
Surprise Checks Target Key Festive Items
Officials from the food safety department conducted thorough inspections at various outlets. A key focus was sampling popular festive products like tomato gravy and jam rolls to check for quality and adherence to norms. The drive was conducted under the direction of Civil Surgeon Dr. Ramandeep Kaur and was led on the ground by District Health Officer Dr. Sandeep Singh.
Critical Warnings Issued to Food Operators
During the inspections, officials issued crucial advisories to food business operators. They were strictly warned against the common but hazardous practice of wrapping food items in newspapers, which poses significant health risks due to ink contamination.
Inspectors also provided clear guidance on the use of food colours. They advised operators preparing Chinese dishes to completely avoid banned artificial colours and to strictly use only permitted colouring agents within safe limits.
Compliance with Food Safety Act Stressed
The health team emphasized several mandatory requirements under the Food Safety and Standards Act. Officials stressed the importance of:
- Using only high-quality raw materials.
- Maintaining impeccably clean premises and preparation areas.
- Prominently displaying valid food licenses for customers to see.
- Keeping food handlers' medical certificates and water test reports up-to-date.
The department reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding public health, especially during the busy festive season when food consumption is high. They urged all food business operators to diligently follow the established norms to prevent any health hazards and ensure a safe, joyful Lohri for everyone in Ludhiana.
