Mumbai: With little over a week remaining for the 10-day-long Ganeshotsav, the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) is gearing up to take action against violators.
The FDA will launch a special drive to not only collect food samples to test for suspected adulteration but also educate Ganesh mandals on food hygiene and safety measures to be taken during the distribution of ‘prasad’.
“During festive seasons, we conduct surprise inspections to keep a tab on those indulging in adulteration of sweets. This year, we’ve also tagged major mandal’s representatives to help them understand the need for food safety and hygiene,” FDA commissioner Dr Pallavi Darade said.
According to FDA officials, seven FDA divisions in the state — Mumbai, Thane, Amravati, Pune, Nagpur, Nashik and Aurangabad — have been asked to proactively reach out to mandals in their divisions.
A one-day workshop will also be conducted for members of Ganesh mandals and food vendors who sell sweets near Ganpati mandals, officials said.
Every year, the state FDA collects samples of sweets from various shops to keep a check on adulteration during the festival.
In its surprise visits, the FDA inspects food items like oil, ghee and mawa that are utilised in preparing sweets like barfi, laddoo, and modak etc. The FDA also takes cognisance of complaints from citizens.
Ganeshotsav, which is culturally synonymous of Maharashtra, will be celebrated between September 2 and 12 this year.
