FDA on prowl to ensure your Deepawali sweets are safe

Those involved in food adulterationu00a0 will have it tough this festive season. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has begun a major crackdown on milk distributors, oil stockists and sweet shops.

FDA joint commissioner Sanjay Patil has instructed all 32 food inspectors to ensure that adulterated milk and milk products should not enter the market during the festive season. "During last year's festive season, we busted a racket of milk distributors involved in chemical adulteration of milk.u00a0 So I have instructed all food inspectors to be extra alert this season. So far we have booked a few people for adding glucose and sugar to milk but not a single case of chemical adulteration has surfaced yet," said Patil. On an average, at least 50 samples of milk have been drawn in the last month alone.

The FDA has seized Rs 32 lakh worth of mustard oil belonging to major multi-national company's factory in Daund taluka on Monday.

"When we picked up samples of this company's products from stores, we found themu00a0 sub-standard. Two days ago we seized their stocks in a raid and sent the samples for testing. Usually it takes 40 days, but as the firm is big and the oil is used nationwide we are fast-tracking the process," said food inspector Kembhalkar.

Even shops selling sweets and mawa are under watch.