Flour mill penalised for sub-standard product
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR
Imphal, November 15 2024:
The adjudicating officer (food safety), Imphal East, has imposed penalty of Rs 25,000 on R Martha, proprietor of Shree Balaji Flour Mill, Nilakuthi Food Park, on the charge of producing and selling sub-standard 'Chakki atta' .
The action was taken following complaint by consumer regarding pungent smell in one of their products, with the said charge confirmed through laboratory tests as violation of Section 26(2) (ii) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.Section 26(2)(ii) of the Act, specifies that 'no food business operator shall himself or by any person on his behalf manufacture, store, sell or distribute any article', and that misbranded or substandard product (containing extraneous matter) is an offence punishable under Section 51 of the same Act.
The case, initiated by food safety officer S Pus-palata, brought to the fore negligence in quality control at the manufacturing unit.
During the hearings, R Martha acknowledged the lapse and pledged to take corrective measures.
Consequently, the food safety officer ordered that the penalty be deposited by November 6, 2024, under the specified health department receipt head.