Surprise inspection of retail outlets/commercial establishments in and around Boomtar area conducted by Food Safety team

Namchi, 20th August: The District Level Advisory Committee on Food Safety team comprising of DCSO/Namchi, Food & Civil Supplies Department, Food Safety Officer, Namchi, Health Department, Inspector (Namchi), LMU & CP Cell, Food & Civil Supplies Department, representative from Namchi Municipal Council along with the police personnel from Namchi Police Station, conducted a surprise inspection of retail outlets/commercial establishments in and around Boomtar area along Boomtar Salleybong road, on 19th August 2023 pertaining to the various provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the Legal Metrology Act, 2009.
Approximately nine Grocery, Manihari and Fast food stalls were inspected in the area and found that most of the shops were found charging more than MRP rate with the excuse that the goods were stored in refrigerator thereby attracting the penalties under various provisions of the Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006, of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 and the rules made thereunder. One shop was found selling the food items beyond expiry date. Necessary action shall be initiated as per the Food Safety Act. Most of the fast food shops were found using domestic cylinders for cooking purposes rather than using commercial cylinders. During the inspection it was found that none of the shop owners have obtained the license from the Food Safety Unit from the Health Department whereas, it is very much mandatory for the shop owners to obtain this license from the Health Department.
The District Level Advisory Committee appeals to all the consumers to read the expiry date carefully for every item they purchase and utilize which would help avoid food poisioning etc and to discourage such practices by the errant shop owners. The surprise inspections of the shops shall continuously be carried out throughout the district and all the awakened consumers are requested to inform District Authority about the malpractices adopted by the shop owners.
(Press Release from.Food and Civil Supplies Department, Namchi)