The festive season of Ganesh Chaturthi is around the corner. Just as with other religious functions, sweets form an integral part of the festivities. In the past much of the sweets for the festivals were prepared at home by family members. However for various reasons this has become very rare in today’s world. Much of the sweets are obtained from the sweet marts in the market-place. When the demand for a particular food item is high, there is every possibility of adulteration as those in the business of preparing sweets in bulk will try to make a fast buck by adopting illegal methods. It is learnt that with the festive season fast approaching, the Directorate of Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) have upped the ante to check for adulteration of eatables sold in the state. Those products being sold need to have the ‘Manufacturing Date’ and ‘Best Before’ date clearly mentioned on the package along with the MRP. The eatables need to be manufactured in hygienic conditions which also need to be checked by the authorities. The premises also need to have the proper manufacturing license. It is understood that FDA raids have found two manufacturing units preparing sweets under unhygienic conditions in Cuncolim. It is important to see that the consumer does not fall sick during the festive season due to consumption of sweets prepared in unhygienic conditions. All premises preparing sweets without the valid license need to be sealed and the confiscated goods destroyed.
