Food safety officials on Thursday shut down two sweet-manufacturing units in Lucknow after finding unhygienic production conditions, missing licences and substances suspected to be used as additives in food products ahead of Diwali.
“Such substances could pose serious health risks. At a manufacturing unit in Hari Om Nagar, near Nibehra Khurd in Madiaon, a joint team of food safety officials found filth, cobwebs and rats moving around the premises. Workers involved in sweet production were also found maintaining poor personal hygiene. The unit was operating without the mandatory food licence. Officials also suspected the use of substances meant for industrial purposes in food preparation. Samples of the products and suspected additives were collected for examination.
Assistant commissioner, FSDA, Lucknow, VP Singh said the team suspected the use of saponified oil, rosin (hardening powder) and talcum powder as additives in food products. The premises were closed, and proceedings to lodge a complaint against the food business operator at the concerned police station were initiated,” he said.
