Port Blair, Nov. 16: The Food Safety Department, A&N Islands in its efforts to ensure the availability of safe and hygienic food to the general public conducted special drives during Deepawali festival. Intensive inspections have been carried out at various meat vending shops, poultry shops and other slaughtering places.

During the inspections, two Food Business Operators were found selling meat, which were slaughtered without following the mandatory requirements of Food Safety and Standards Act, Rules and Regulations. A total of 12.2 kgs of mutton is seized and cases have been lodged against the defaulters under relevant provisions of the Act.

The Commissioner Food Safety, A&N Islands/Dy. Commissioner, South Andaman hereby cautions all meat vendors to strictly follow the mandatory requirements of FSS Act, Rules & Regulations made there under and slaughtering to be done at the designated slaughter houses only. Ante-mortem inspection of animals and post mortem inspection of carcass are required to be done by an authorized veterinary surgeon.

The Commr.(Food Safety)/DC(SA) further requests the general public to inform the authorities, if any irregularities noticed by them over phone No.236168 or District Office Control Room Toll Free No.1070.