Authorities on Saturday sealed a bakery manufacturing unit at Lal Bazar here on complaints of supplying bread without requisite labeling.
The action came after a consumer purchased bread from its franchise at Hazratbal here and found it molded while serving to his children.
The consumer brought the complaint into the notice of food safety commissioner Srinagar who along with team swung into action and sealed the unit.
Officials said the team first raided the shop, ‘New Taj Bakery’, where from the rotten bread was purchased. There the officials learnt that the bread in manufactured by ‘Cake Corner’ at Lal Bazar.
“On the basis of complaint, Cake Corner owned by Bashir Ahmad Sofi, was raided at Lal Bazar. A team of food safety officers headed by assistant commissioner food, during inspection found consignment of bread without requisite label declaration. The formation of fungus was also found on breads,” said an official.
He added that after collecting samples, rotten and molded stock of breads was destroyed on spot.
Officials said under provisions of law, it is important and mandatory for manufacturer to have a use-by-date label on eatables.
The team also found lack of sanitation at the manufacturing unit.
Assistant food safety commissioner, Srinagar, Hilal Ahmad Mir, said that manufacturing unit was instantly sealed and samples were collected for further investigation.
“We warn bakery manufacturers of strict action under law in case they violate the standards laid down in food safety and standard rules,” Mir said.
The J&K Food Safety and Standard Rules 2006 covers activities throughout the food distribution chain, from primary production, distribution to retail and its catering. In 2017, giving the importance of public health and food poisoning cases, the J&K High Court had directed the state government to fill up the post of full time commissioner food safety on priority instead of part-time arrangement, as was norm then.
Later, acting on the directions of High Court, the state appointed full-time commissioner. “The safety of food is vital to all consumers and food businesses. Consumers must have confidence that the food they buy and eat is healthy and hygienic,” said Mir. He said that authorities are carrying surprise inspections of markets from time to time to ensure the foods sold in market is protected and free from adulteration.