Police seized 500 kg of substandard cheese. (Awakening)
Jagran correspondent, Patna. On Monday, the Food Safety Department once again conducted a surprise raid on the milk market located near the junction.
During this period, about 500 kg of substandard cheese, which was found suspicious during preliminary investigation using Betadine, has been seized. At the same time, more than 100 liters of non-standard milk has been destroyed. Two 50 liter drums filled with milk fell, spreading whiteness all around and a crowd of people gathered to watch the action.
In this sequence, some people started opposing the action. After the matter heated up, Food Safety Officer Ajay Kumar called the police by dialing 112. After this the action was completed under police supervision. An FIR has also been lodged against six people at Kotwali police station for obstructing government work.
Majority of businessmen fled as soon as the raid took place
When the Food Safety Department team reached the milk market in the afternoon, most of the shopkeepers ran away from there hiding their inferior cheese, mawa etc. as soon as the raid started.
During investigation, the officer found that the cheese did not have the smell and normal taste of milk. After this, even in the preliminary test done with Betadine, the cheese has turned black.
After this, about 500 kg of cheese was searched and seized. No one has claimed this cheese. At the same time, some people along with the crowd started protesting against the action of the Food Safety Department. Seeing the heat increasing and the situation worsening, informed the Kotwali police station.
After this, two vehicles of Dial 112 arrived. Meanwhile, there was an atmosphere of chaos in the entire market. The officials also took samples of all the products from two licensed shops located in Mandi and sent them to the laboratory for testing. Gyan Dairy products were being sold there.
Food Safety Officer Ajay Kumar said that an FIR has been lodged in the police station against six people who opposed the action for obstructing government work.
Arrowroot-milk powder was added to the creamed milk to make curd.
In the milk market, there was a competition not only in making cheese and mawa but also in making curd. On the spot, the Food Safety Officer found that milk was kept in blue drums after removing the cream. Substandard milk powder of arrowroot and Madhusudan brand was being added to it to thicken it. People told that thick curd was made from it and sold to hotels, restaurants etc.
Cheese testing intensified before New Year celebrations
Food Safety Officer Ajay Kumar has been checking cheese in hotels, restaurants etc. for the last several days in view of the New Year celebrations. Due to this, substandard cheese is being available at most places. Its wires were coming from somewhere and connecting to the milk market located at Patna Junction.
There, cheese is sold at the rate of Rs 150 to 200 per kg, whereas in good shops its price is Rs 400 to 450 per kg. The cheap cheese sold from Gulzarbagh, Agamkuan, Dinkar Golambar and Kankarbagh vegetable market to other districts is supplied from here.
As New Year celebrations approached, sudden action was taken on milk markets to limit its supply everywhere.