Chandigarh, May 19 : The Punjab Health Department has issued strict instructions to the district health authorities to ensure the implementation of the Food Safety and Standards Act with an iron hand.
It has told them to act against big food and beverages operators besides small food shops and street vendors in case of complaints of adulteration.
The instructions were issued by Minister for Health and Family Welfare Brahm Mohindra while chairing a state-level review meeting of the Food and Drug administration officers.
He said it is the duty of the health department to ensure that health and hygiene of people are maintained by the supply of nutritious and unadulterated food articles. He said zero tolerance would be maintained against adulteration of food articles and all complaints of people must be addressed within the stipulated time.
He exhorted the food safety officers not to confine their activities to raiding food shops only; instead they should concentrate on bringing positive results by acting against the miscreants who are playing with lives of people.
He said adulteration is a serious issue and asked the officers to also screen food/canteens in the government sector.
The minister said that by ensuring the supply of unadulterated food articles many deadly and chronic diseases like cancer, hepatitis, stomach and gastric disorders could be curbed.
Anjali Bhanwra, Principal Secretary, Health, asked to district food officers to ensure the submission of status reports of mobile test labs to Dr Amritpal Warring, the Nodal Officer, within three days.