Patna: The health department, in a food safety drive across the state from Aug 27 to Oct 1, seized more than 150 litres of adulterated milk, over 200 kg of contaminated paneer, 200 kg of rotten tomato pulp, and hundreds of bottles of expired chilli and tomato sauces. The department also seized 35,454 bottles of packaged drinking water with labels of prominent brands and initiated prosecution in 13 cases.The campaign, conducted on the directions of health minister Nishant Kumar and under the guidance of health secretary-cum-food safety commissioner Kumar Ravi, involved inspections of food establishments, collection of samples and checks on compliance with prescribed safety and hygiene standards.More than 812 food samples were collected during the drive from different districts, covering milk and dairy products, sweets, spices, edible oils, beverages, bakery products and packaged drinking water. Laboratory testing found several samples adulterated, contaminated or otherwise unsafe.Among the major findings, turmeric powder samples collected from Araria, Bhojpur and Patna were found to contain metanil yellow and lead chromate. Officials said such adulterants are unsafe for consumption, while exposure to lead can affect the nervous system and organs such as the kidneys. Bakery products and other food items were also found contaminated with fungus, moulds and bacteria.Large quantities of spoiled food products were destroyed during the inspections. These included chhena, peda and sonpapdi, cake and milk laced with formalin. Expired cold drinks and carbonated beverages without expiry dates were also seized.In Vaishali and West Champaran, 72 kg of spoiled paneer was destroyed, while around 105 kg of contaminated paneer was destroyed in Muzaffarpur. Spoiled peda, barfi and cakes were also destroyed in Munger, Purnia and Madhepura. During a raid in one of the establishments at Aurangabad, substandard paneer laced with formalin was found, while in Jehanabad coriander powder with prohibited dye was found on Sept 30.A major action was taken at a sauce-manufacturing unit in Dehri on Sept 22, where officials seized 200 kg of rotten tomato pulp, 240 bottles of expired chilli sauce and 120 bottles of expired tomato sauce. Insects were also found around containers holding sauce, raising concerns over hygiene at the unit. In another major action, 120 litres of milk with formalin were seized from Fatuha in Patna district.The department also intensified checks at packaged drinking water units. Officials seized one-litre bottles and 500 ml packaged drinking water from Vaishali and Begusarai. Checks included verification of FSSAI licences, labelling, batch numbers, manufacturer details and other mandatory requirements.Kumar Ravi said enforcement would be intensified, particularly during the festive season, when demand for sweets and other food products rises.“People in Bihar are increasingly consuming cooked food products purchased from the market. Adulterated food, particularly products containing heavy metals, can cause serious health problems, including cancer. We are intensifying the drive and also conducting sensitisation programmes to create awareness among consumers,” he said.
