Kozhikode: The Food Safety Commissionerate will hold a statewide drive from August 6 to 23 to prevent possible large-scale adulteration of essential commodities ahead of Onam.
The Onam season sees a spurt in demand for essentials like coconut oil, green gram, milk etc. Though the formal checking ahead of Onam is yet to begin, samples are being collected from various shops and dealers, officials say.
As many as 38 squads had been formed and were working at an inter-district level, joint commissioner (enforcement) AK Mini said.
“All manufacturing units, bakery outlets, milk units and restaurants would come under scanner. The special drive is in connection with Onam. The sale of sugar, payasam mix, cereals, vegetables, coconut oil, pappadam, milk and bakery products will be very high,” she added.
"Three mobile labs operated in the state and the products that turned up suspicious in preliminary checks would be sent to the state laboratories. Drinking water, coconut oil and milk can be examined faster than solid food products,” she said.
The regional lab in Kozhikode tests food samples from five districts – Kasargod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode and Malappuram.
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