Maharashtra FDA launches festival enforcement calendar to check food adulteration

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration FDA has launched a firstofitskind initiative introducing a yearround ldquoFestival Enforcement Calendarrdquo aimed at cracking down on food adulteration and unsafe food practices before during and after major festivals and religious occasionsThe order issued on Thursday will cover festivals religious events fairs pilgrimages and other celebrations across Maharashtra The calendar is expected to eliminate the need for the FDA to issue separate enforcement orders for individual festivalsThe initiative identifies highrisk food products possible adulterants and the type of samples that should be collected during specific occasions Festivals have been classified into three categories mdash statewide regional and local mdash and a standardised enforcement cycle will begin as early as 21 days before an event and continue for up to 30 days afterwardsldquoThis is the first time in India that such a comprehensive festival enforcement calendar is being implemented for food safetyrdquo FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said He clarified that the initiative was not linked to any particular community religion or religious practice ldquoIt has nothing to do with religion or faith The order is strictly related to food safetyrdquo he saidFour new labs plannedThe FDA plans to expand its laboratory infrastructure Mundhe said four additional laboratories would be established while existing facilities would be upgraded with new equipment to speed up testing and reduce delays in prosecution and adjudicationZero toleranceConsumers have been advised to check licence numbers and Food Safety Connect QR codes insist on bills and report suspected adulteration through the complaint portal or tollfree helpline 1800222365Community feasts under scannerThe FDA has also widened its focus beyond commercial establishments Food safety officers will visit community feeding events including mahaprasads iftar gatherings annachhatras langars and bhandaras to ensure compliance with food safety standards Organisers of such events will be required to use licensed caterers who must notify the designated food safety officer at least seven days in advanceFDArsquos key targetsThe calendar covers a wide range of products including milk khoya paneer ghee edible oil sweets dry fruits besan fasting foods meat ice packaged drinking water and bakery products Officials will also inspect ecommerce and quickcommerce warehouses imported food consignments and festival gift hampersDuring Diwali and Dussehra used frying oil will be tested for Total Polar Compounds TPC Cooking oil containing TPC levels above 25 per cent will be treated as unsafe and destroyed Before Navratri and Mahashivratri fasting products such as bhagar kuttu singhada sabudana and rajgira will be sampled for fungal toxins Dry fruits will be screened for aflatoxinsThe FDA will also monitor synthetic milk adulterated mawa food colours newspaper wrapping and aluminium vark being sold as silver Meat cold chains ice packaged water bakery products chocolates and imported food will also face increased scrutiny During Christmas and New Year celebrations cakes and creambased products will receive particular attention