HEALTH MINISTER TIGHTENS GRIP ON ROADSIDE STALLS AND DHABHAS SELLING ADULTERATED FOOD

* HEALTH DEPT TO COLLECT FOOD SAMPLES TO CHECK ADULTERATION-JAYANI

* PUNJAB IMPOSES COMPLETE BAN ON CUT FRUITS

* INVOKES EPIDEMIC DISEASE ACT

* REGISTRATION OF EATERY OWNERS MADE MANDATORY

Chandigarh June 22: The Punjab Health Minister Mr. Surjit Kumar Jayani today issued strict directions to all district health and Food Safety Officers to keep an eye on the eatables being sold in small road side dhabhas and stalls as a part of the ongoing campaign launched against the sale of adulterated food items in Punjab.

Giving instructions to the officers of the Health department, the Minister asked them to keep proper surveillance not only on these small eateries but also in the markets, hotels, restaurants etc. to check supply of adulterated of food items especially made of milk and also milk products. He said that no shopkeeper should be allowed to store food items without mentioning its shelf life. He also asked the officers to raid all possible store houses such as cold stores etc and collect samples on regular basis so as to ensure health and hygiene. He said that all below standard or expired food products should be destroyed in the presence of district health officers and huge fines should be imposed on the people playing with the lives of people.

Taking serious view of the sale of uncovered and cut fruit, Mr. Jayani reiterated that keeping in view the health of the people, the government has imposed complete ban on the sale of uncovered cut fruits. The health officers have been asked to take immediate action against the vendors selling uncovered fruit and sweets in spite of the ban. As per Section 2 of the Epidemic Disease Act, sale of over ripe or cut fruits and vegetables, kept without a glass cover, is strictly prohibited, reminded Mr. Jayani. Even the sale of vegetables, meat, cakes, biscuits, bread, parched grains and other eatables has been prohibited unless covered properly. The Health Department officials have been authorized to inspect any market selling such articles and to remove or destroy them, if required, he added.

To check adulteration in eatables, Mr. Jayani has asked the Health officers to collect the food samples randomly and send them to the Chandigarh food laboratory for testing and proper action would be taken against the defaulters. Mr. Jayani also said that the registration of eatery