Food Safety Department Inspects Flour Mill, FCI Godown in Gumla; Warns Against Adulteration

The Food Safety Department has intensified inspections across urban areas of Gumla to ensure the availability of safe, hygienic and adulteration-free food products. During the inspection drive, officials collected a sample of wheat flour from Hanuman Flour Mill and inspected the Food Corporation of India (FCI) godown at Karoundi.

The campaign was conducted on the directions of the Gumla Deputy Commissioner and under the guidance of Dr Dhanurjay Sumbrai, Additional Chief Medical Officer-cum-Designated Officer. Food Safety Officers Prakash Chandra Guggi, Asha Raj and Kumar Prabhakar jointly led the inspection team.

During the inspection of M/s Hanuman Flour Mill, officials collected a sample of wheat flour and sent it to the State Food Testing Laboratory in Namkum for analysis. The laboratory report will help determine whether the sample meets the prescribed food safety standards.

At the FCI godown in Karoundi, officials directed the management to display its food safety licence prominently and ensure proper storage of food grains and adequate pest-control arrangements.

The inspection team also warned hotel operators and sweet shop owners against adulterating food products or using prohibited substances. Officials specifically cautioned against the use of industrial hydrogenated substances and non-food-grade colours in sweets, describing such practices as a serious threat to public health.

Bakeries were instructed to clearly mention the manufacturing date and expiry date or best-before date on their products to ensure that consumers have access to essential information about food quality and shelf life.

During the drive, several shopkeepers were reportedly seen hurriedly improving their shop arrangements as the inspection team carried out checks.

The department also reiterated that the sale and purchase of tobacco and tobacco products within 100 metres of schools and other educational institutions would invite action under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003.

Officials warned that food establishments violating prescribed standards would face legal action under the relevant provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. They made it clear that establishments found compromising public health would not be spared.

The department said surprise inspections would continue across Gumla to strengthen food safety compliance, prevent adulteration and protect consumers' health.