Punjab Health Dept steps up vigil to check adulterated food items

Mohali: Cracking the whip against production, stock and sale of spurious and adulterated food products during the ongoing festive season, the Punjab Health Department today raided a cheese manufacturing unit at Barmajra village near here.

"We have stepped up vigil and search operations to check manufacturing, stock and sale of adulterated, spurious and unhygienic food products in the area," Mohali District Health Officer (DHO) H S Oberoi said.

Acting on a tip-off, a Health Department team led by Oberoi raided a manufacturing unit near here but no such material was recovered which could immediately establish that adulterated cheese was being produced there.

However, two samples, each from around four quintals of cheese and nearly 2,000 litres of milk, found at the unit was sent for analysis to the State Food Analyst to establish their contents and quality, he said.

Preliminary investigation has revealed the manufacturer had procured the milk from Haryana, the DHO said.

Warning manufacturers and dealers against indulging in unethical trade practices, Oberoi said, "Anyone found playing with the public health would be dealt with sternly."