In a bid to prevent people from adulterating and unhygienic foods during the festive seasons of Diwali and Ningol Chakouba, State Food Safety and State Health departments jointly conducted a surprise drive in Paona Bazaar and Thangal Bazaar on Sunday.
Speaking to the media persons, Food Safety officer Tekcham Brojendro Khaba Meitei said that during the drive some unhygienic foods were detected at some fruit vendors and sweet shops.
He appealed to the people to check the manufacturing and expiry dates before buying any food items. The drive will be continued in the Imphal area for a healthy and safe Diwali and Ningol Chakouba.
Food Safety additional commissioner K Rajo said that during the drive oils used in cooking of edible items at hotels were checked with the help of machines and sweet items were examined whether they are freshly made or stale. Some of the stale edible items were seized and disposed of at suitable places, he added.
The foods cooked in hotels were also examined and some of them were found unhygienic. They were instructed to maintain proper health hygiene, said Rajo.
He also said that some of the fruit items were found with wax coating in order to prevent rotting and consuming such fruits may cause health hazards.
Appealing to the fruit sellers, sweet shops and others to maintain proper hygiene, Rajo said that if the department found any shop selling adulterated or unhygienic foods which also included packaged drinking water, then strict action will be taken against them.
