Be sure to read this FDA advisory before buying sweets during Ganeshotsav in Mumbai

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• Aug 31, 2022 | Poonam Nath

The Food and Drugs Administration has issued a detailed advisory for buyers and sellers of sweets during this year's Ganeshotsav.

Digital Desk: The Food and Drug Administration in Mumbai has sent instructions to sweets buyers and sellers in the city as this year's Ganeshotsav celebrations are slated to start on Wednesday. 

In its most recent advice, the FDA urged store owners to follow good hygiene and advised against engaging in any adulteration practices. 

Additionally, the organization provided shoppers with a toll-free hotline to call if they come across any subpar sweet items throughout the event.

According to senior FDA officials who spoke to the media, Mumbai will have 1 lakh sweets stores this season, and the FDA officers will examine each of these establishments.

"Because sweets are in great demand during the festival, there is a risk of adulteration and the creation of low-quality food." As a result, the FDA has launched a special food inspection programme. "Our food inspectors will visit every establishment for testing," said FDA joint commissioner Shashikant Kekare.

Customers are encouraged to report bad quality items sold on the toll-free number 1800222356.

Directions from the FDA for sweets lovers:

• Rather than buying from street sellers, go to a licensed store.
• Purchase only freshly produced sweets.
• Check the 'use by date' before purchasing to avoid obtaining sweets that have passed their expiry date.
• If any adulteration is discovered, notify the agency immediately.

Directions for confectioners and store owners:

• Prepare sweets in sanitary circumstances.
• While making it, use drinking water.
• When presenting the sweets for sale on the counter, a 'use by date' must be indicated.
• Before beginning the preparation, the workers' temperatures must be taken.
• Every food product's expiration date must be published by the maker.
• Every worker in the production unit must pass a medical examination.
• Workers must be free of infections and skin diseases.

Sweets and milk-based items are more widely available on Ganeshotsav days.

The offenders will be subject to fines ranging from 25,000 to 50,000 rupees, and a lawsuit may also be brought against them. Legal action as per the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 should be taken against them, the FDA advised.