Food Safety and Drug Administration has come on alert mode after over 300 cases of food poisoning due to buckwheat flour were reported in Doon and Haridwar. On Tuesday, the department raided more than 1500 shops across the state.
During this, more than 100 samples of buckwheat flour and other items were taken. Also, notices have been issued to more than two dozen shops. In view of the possibility of adulteration in Doon, 100 kg of buckwheat flour has been seized and destroyed.
Meanwhile, the Health Secretary has constituted a five-member joint committee of Food Safety and Drug Administration and Health Department to investigate the people falling ill after eating buckwheat flour dishes.
The committee will submit the report within three days
The committee constituted under the chairmanship of Additional Commissioner of Food Safety and Drug Administration Tajbar Singh will include Deputy Commissioner Rajendra Singh Rawat, Vigilance cum Intelligence Branch officer and two senior officers nominated by the Director General of Health. The committee will submit its report to the Health Secretary within three days.
Health Secretary and Commissioner of Food Safety and Drug Administration, Dr. R Rajesh Kumar said that the general public also needs to be aware against adulterators. Adulteration can be eradicated only with the cooperation of the public. People have to understand how harmful adulterated food items can be for their health.
