FDA Nashik leads in punitive action, plans drive for Simhastha

SATPUR: The Nashik Division of Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has emerged as the leading one amongst other divisions in the state due to its punitive action so far. Till Nov 6, the Nashik Division has exacted the fine of Rs 27.28 lakh in its various drives conducted against illegal manufacture, storage and sale of food products. Apart from this, it has registered around 52,000 food merchants and businessmen in the district. Food Safety Officer Nilesh Khose informed about this on Wednesday.

He further added that the administration is contemplating conducting a special inspection drive across the district, especially in Nashik city and Trimbakeshwar, on the backdrop of upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela.

Since August 5, 2011, the state government itself has started working independently on effective implementation of Food Safetyand Standards Act 2006. The act has provisions for legal action against manufacture, sale and storage of non-recognized food products, low standard products and adulterated food products. Moreover, fine can be slapped on hotel managements violating norms regarding cleanliness in hotel premises.

During the drives conducted across Nashik Division from April 2012 so far, FDA has exacted the fine upto Rs 27.28 lakh. This amount has emerged as the highest one across the state. In this action, fine of Rs 7.23 lakh was recovered in connection with 20 cases in Nashik district itself. Apart from this, Rs 4.40 lakh were recovered in 11 cases in Jalgaon district; Rs 5.45 lakh in 19 cases in Dhule district and Rs 10.20 lakh were recovered in 39 cases in Ahmednagar district, Khose added.

Joint FDA Commissioner Chandrakant Pawar made it clear that the administration has now decided to implement an inspection drive specially across Nashik and Trimbakeshwar towns on the backdrop of upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela. In this drive, FDA will inspect hotels and take action against those violating the norms and regulations regarding cleanliness of premises and sale of adulterated food items.

He further added that action would be taken against those doing business without legal registration in Nashik Division. The administration has appealed to the food merchants and businessmen in this sector to immediately get registered with FDA to avoid this action in future.