Patna: With the festive season approaching, the health department has intensified its statewide crackdown on food adulteration and violations of safety standards, conducting raids, inspections and sample collection to ensure safe food for consumers. Formalin was found in a recently tested milk sample from Fatuha, while additional samples have been collected for further testing.Acting on the directions of health secretary-cum-food safety commissioner Kumar Ravi, food safety teams conducted operations in Patna, Hajipur and Darbhanga, destroying adulterated, expired and substandard food items and sending samples for laboratory analysis.In Hajipur, officials seized and destroyed 72kg of paneer after tests detected starch adulteration. Fourteen kilograms was confiscated from a grocery outlet on Station Road, while another 58kg was destroyed after similar adulteration was found at a paneer shop. Samples have been sent to laboratories and legal action will follow based on the test reports.In Darbhanga’s Benipur, officials found 21 litres of expired milk and 18kg of spoiled paneer at a milk parlour. Both were destroyed on the spot and samples collected for examination.In Patna’s Fatuha, nearly 126 litres of milk was destroyed after laboratory tests confirmed formalin, a prohibited preservative, in samples collected from a dairy unit. Additional milk and paneer samples were collected for detailed analysis.A joint team of officials from the food safety department, drug control administration, Ayush directorate and police also inspected a food supplements facility in Fatuha and collected six samples of manufactured and semi-finished products. No objectionable or suspicious substances were found.The department also conducted surprise inspections at sweet shops and manufacturing units in Patna, directing operators to maintain hygiene and cleanliness.Kumar Ravi said there would be no compromise on food quality and public health, particularly during the festive season. He warned food business operators against storing or selling adulterated, expired or unsafe products and said enforcement drives would continue across the state.
