Commissionerate of Food & Drug Administration, Punjab has directed the Food Safety teams State-wide to check the sale of open...

Spokesman News Service: Chandigarh, December 21: Commissionerate of Food & Drug Administration, Punjab has directed the Food Safety teams State-wide to check the sale of open / loose powdered spices, condiments and salt. Giving details, Mr. K.S. Pannu, Commissioner Food Safety informed that as per rule 2.3.14 of Food Safety & Standards (Prohibition & Restrictions on Sales) Regulation, 2006 no person can sell powdered spices and condiments except "under packed condition".

As per this regulation condiments and spices can be sold only if they are properly packaged and labelled. Therefore, all the teams have been directed to be vigilant and to ensure that open and loose spices, condiments and salt are not sold in their respective areas of jurisdiction and to take action under the Food Safety & Standards Act against the defaulters .

Mr. Pannu said spices are important commodities in every Indian kitchen but it is not uncommon for ground spices to be adulterated with artificial colours, starch, chalk powder, etc., in order to increase their weight and enhance their appearance. The consumption of adulterated spices can cause a number of diseases, including skin allergies, liver disorders, etc. So, Food Safety teams have been directed specially to check the sale of Unpackaged Salt, Spices and Condiments.