Civic body officials to meet mawa suppliers

MUMBAI: Civic officials have flung into action after two separate incidents of food poisoning caused by consumption of sweets were reported in the city last week.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) health department has called for a meeting with mawa or khoya suppliers and sweet shop owners on Thursday. Mawa is a milk-based ingredient, which is widely used to prepare sweets.

“If mawa is not stored in the prescribed manner, its consumption can lead to food poisoning. We have called a meeting to sensitise all suppliers on how to maintain hygienic conditions,” said Dr P Keskar, executive health officer, BMC.

With the festive season ahead, civic officials said the consumption of mawa sweets will rise. If the mawa is contaminated or stale, it can lead to serious health hazards, doctors said.

Around 47 resident doctors at Sion Hospital fell ill after consuming sweets served in the hostel’s canteen on August 15. A day later, 11 students fell ill after eating ‘pedas’ in city school.

Meanwhile, the state food and drug administration (FDA) has also initiated inspections at various sweet shops and mawa suppliers. Officials said the large quantity of mawa used by sweet shop owners in the city comes from other states, including Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.

“Any person buying or selling mawa should make sure the packet is labelled and packaged as prescribed by law,” said an FDA official.