Javid Zargar
Srinagar, Apr 26 (KNS): Even as the Kolkata based food laboratory declared ‘Samzan’ salt unsafe and substandard, the Anganwadi centres in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district continued to use the salt. However, authorities in Food Safety department have urged the officials to stop using the substandard salt.
According to KNS correspondent, the Anganwadi centres in Kupwara district are using ‘unsafe and substandard’ salt, even as the Director Central Food Laboratory Kolkata declared it as unsafe.
The locals as per KNS correspondent said that not only salt, but the other food stuff being consumed are substandard.
They said authorities here should take action in this regard to ensure safe products are used among the people.
Moreover, the Assistant Commissioner, (Designated Officer) Food Safety District Kupwara has written to the Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) Kupwara to direct the centres where the supply has been distributed not to use this salt for the consumption of its ultimate beneficiaries.
In a letter, a copy of which lies with KNS, reads that “With regard to the ‘Analysis Report of Iodized Salt Samzan’. It is brought in your kind notice that the sample of iodized salt (samzan Iron and Iodized salt) batch no. 10packed on 10/2018 was lifted by the food Safety Officer Kupwara as on 27-11-2018 from the ICDS project Kupwara along with the officials of anti-corruption Bureau and was sent to food analyst Srinagar for analysis. The food analyst declared the sample as of legal standard vide their report number FSSA/K/2018-19/1358. Another part of the same sample which was lying with me under the provisions of FSS Act was sent to the Director Central Food Laboratory Kolkata for reanalysis as on 19-01-2019. The Director Referral Food Laboratory Kolkata declared the said sample as substandard, unsafe and misbranded vide their report number G.14-6/DO/2019-101 dated 28-03-2019.”
“You are requested to provide us the details of supplier r distributor who have supplied the said iodized salt (Samzan) to the ICDS project so that legal action will be initiated against him under rules,” the letter reads.
It further added that “Moreover, you are further requested to direct the centres where the supply has been distributed not to use this salt for the consumption of its ultimate beneficiaries.” (KNS)