The state food and drug administration (FDA) has directed three chikki manufacturers in Lonavla, Loni Kalbhor and Kondhwa Budruk to cease work immediately for flouting food safety rules.
“A team headed by food safety inspector inspected the manufacturing units last week and found several discrepancies in the manufacturing process. That is why they have been told to shut down,” Sampat Deshmukh, assistant commissioner, FDA, Pune, said.
The Union government had approved Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Rules 2011 to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food. According to the rules, a manufacturer needs to have a well-equipped laboratory to ensure safety of food, otherwise it must get the product tested from FSSAI-approved NABL laboratory.
“The three chikki manufacturers did not follow this rule. Further, they did not have the laboratory report on potable water used by them. Also, they did not have technicallyqualified persons to monitor the manufacturing process,” said Deshmukh.
The manufacturers will have to take measures to remove these lacunae and submit a compliance report to the FDA following which they will be allowed to resume manufacturing.
Earlier, FDA had issued stop work notice to Lonavla’s Maganlal Chikki in December last year for not following FSSAI norms.
Source: Times of India
