Criminal case against food outlets found using excessive amounts of tasting powder: Udupi DC

Udupi: Deputy Commissioner (DC) G Jagadeesha on Thursday said that a criminal case will be filed against food manufacturers if they are found to be using excessive amounts of tasting powder.

He was speaking at the district level advisory meeting with regards to food safety held at the auditorium of the DC office on Thursday, August 27.

Jagadeesha said, ” Several complaints regarding excessive use of tasting powder in Chinese food items have been received. These tasting powders have been associated with various forms of toxicity and pose a threat to public health. Such outlets must be raided by food safety officers and samples of the food must be sent to the laboratory. A criminal case should be filed against the offenders. Also, Strict action should also be taken against  those who sell tasting powder without permission.”

He further said, “Food items must have expiry dates mentioned on the packages. Bakery products need to be checked often. Every month, a specific number of samples of food products needs to be sent to the laboratory.”

“If fruit vendors are found using chemicals to ripen the fruits especially bananas, strict action will be taken.  Wholesalers dealing in bananas should be monitored,” he added.

Panchayat deputy secretary Kiran Phadnekar, district health and family welfare officer Dr Nagabhushan Udupa, ASP Kumar Chandra, and district surgeon Dr Madhusudhan Nayak were also present.