Port Blair, Nov. 12: The Food Safety Department, A&N Islands has been carrying out comprehensive special drives in various food vending establishments with special emphasis on mithaiwalas, halwais, bake houses and bakery shops during this festive season. During this week the Food Safety Officials inspected 273 food vending premises and collected 320 samples of milk and milk based sweets  and other sweets for  sample testing.

As per the direction of FSSAI the department also collected 05 samples of milk khoa, paneer and channa under Pan India Milk survey programme of FSSAI and sent to laboratory.

In order to ensure good sanitary and hygienic practices at food premises, frequent inspections are being carried out. With the help of frying oil monitor machine, cooking oils from 61 food vending premises were tested to detect the presence of Total Polar Materials which are developed due to repeated use of the same cooking oil.  FBOs are advised that after frying, the remaining oil may be discarded/ disposed of appropriately on daily basis. 

During this week 04 FBOs were found violating various provisions of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and cases have been registered   against the violators under relevant provisions of the Act. 

The Commissioner Food Safety/DC(SA) A&N Islands has directed all Food Business Operators (FBO) to strictly adhere with the provisions of FSS Act, Rules & Regulations made there under. The general public is advised to make complaints if any, over phone No. 236168 or District Office control room toll free No. 1070.