Port Blair, Apr 08: The Department of Food Safety conducted surprise checking and sampling of milk, from the vendors of South Andaman District in the morning hours of 08/04/2021 and collected 32 samples of milk from various milk vendors to ensure quality and safety checking of the dairy product.

These samples were tested for detecting the presence of aflatoxin, Antibiotics, Mycotoxins, Urea, Starch, Sugar, Salt, Fat, SNF, Hydrogen Peroxide, Maltodextrin and other neutralizers. The testing was conducted by the in the Mobile Food Testing Laboratory (MFTL) and all the samples were found free from the adulterants mentioned above.

Further the Food Safety Department organized a Licensing/ Registration mela at Chouldari Community Hall wherein 107 numbers of FBOs attended the mela. Further the Technical Officer, Mobile Food Testing Laboratory (MFTL) collected 08 numbers of milk samples from Chouldhari for its testing through MFTL stationed at Port Blair. After testing all the samples were found free from adulteration.

Online processing of license and registration of applications were demonstrated. 03 licenses and 07 registration certificates were issued on the spot. Issues regarding uploading applications and remittance of license/registration fees were discussed and resolved.

Mr. Suneel Anchipaka, IAS, Commissioner Food Safety/Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman has directed all food business operators to obtain license/ registration certificate as per the provisions of Section 31(1) & 31(2) of FSS Act, 2006. Every Food Business Operator in the Islands is required to be licensed/registered under the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India. He further reiterated that FSSAI license is granted to all manufacturers, traders, restaurants carrying out food business which may involve manufacturing or processing.