The Delhi government’s health department officials have tightened their belts to take action against food adulteration in this festive season. The department has deputed 27 teams to tackle adulteration in sweets and other food items during the festive season.
“Till September 30, the health department has booked eight shopkeepers for selling adulterated sweets and 449 samples of sweets have been sent to the labs for test. We have also ordered to register FIR against some shopkeepers,” said an official adding that if any shopkeeper is found guilty of selling such sweets, heavy fine will be imposed.
Sweets, specially made from milk, are being made in the neighbouring states by using dangerous chemicals that compromise with the health of the consumers.
The officials are also carrying chemicals with them during raids to test sweets on the spot. The officials pose as customers and go to the shops so that no shopkeeper can play foul in providing samples.
According to the food adulteration law, the guilty can be jailed up to 7 years. If some one falls sick after having such sweets, then the shopkeepers will have to pay up to `3 lakhs as compensation to them.
If anyone dies after having such sweets, then the accused shopkeeper would have to pay `10 lakhs to the kin of the deceased.