Jalandhar lab shut, health department officials in a fix
With the Diwali countdown on, the district health department officials have swung into action to check the sale of spurious sweets. A closed district-level laboratory, however, has restricted their efforts.
The district-level forensic science laboratory is lying close since past few years and officials are forced to send collected food samples to the state’s lone State Food Laboratory in Kharar, which takes around two weeks to test them.
Till the reports are not issued by the laboratory, the officials can’t initiate proceedings against the suspected defaulters. Also, by the time reports are out, sweets of the particular collected samples are already sold, a senior official, on request of anonymity, said.
RUSH OF PENDING REPORTS
Sources said, due to state-wide campaign against adulteration, there is a heavy rush of pending reports at the laboratory in Mohali.District health officials have collected over 90 food samples from various eateries and sweet shops this month but sample reports are still pending. Over 15 sample reports of September are also pending and officials are yet to take action against the erring shopkeepers.
District health officer Dr Balwinder Singh said, “We have sent samples to the Chandigarh laboratory for testing. But, action can’t be taken against shop owners till the reports are out.”
He said after receiving the reports, a notice has to be sent to the person at default and if he fails to reply, the department can seal his shop after seeking the food security commissioner’s permission.
REASON FOR CLOSED LAB UNKNOWN
Civil surgeon Dr Rajesh Kumar Bagga, who resumed charge recently, said he is not aware of the exact reason behind the district laboratory’s closure but staff shortage is one the reasons.
He said, “I will take up the matter with higher authorities to reopen the lab. If it reopens, it will be of great help to us. We will be able to take swift action against erring parties as we will get reports within two days, for which we have to usually wait for at least two weeks.”
Around 42% food samples in Kapurthala, 28% in Jalandhar, 49% in SBS Nagar failed quality tests in last two months under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954.