Srinagar: Ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, the Food Safety wing of Drugs and Food Control Organization (D&FCO) has sealed 13 food business operators (FBOs) and recovered a fine of Rs 1, 76,500 from the erring traders during its intensified market checking drive from last one week.
The 13 FBOs that were sealed mainly included the bakers. It was found that the bakery items worth thousands of rupees put on sale by them were unfit for human use and were thus destroyed on the spot.
Moreover, a fine of Rs 1, 76,500 has been imposed by the Adjudicating Officer, Additional District Commissioner Srinagar to 15 FBOs for not complying with the various provisions of Food Safety and Standards Act
The FBOs especially the bakers and confectionery manufacturers, nanwaiees, poultry sellers and butchers have been directed to maintain high standards of hygiene failing which stern action under relevant laws of the Food Safety and Standards Act shall be taken against the offenders.
It is pertinent to mention that kneading of dough at maximum places by bakers is being carried out by machines and not manually.
The department is in the process of allotting hygiene ratings to all food manufacturers especially the bakery and the confectionery units and the process shall be completed soon.
