Mane said the administration was enforcing food safety norms to ensure devotees receive safe and high-quality food, especially during the festival. The inspections focused on food quality, hygiene, storage and handling practices.
FDA officials inspected 13 food establishments on the Gad and collected 18 food samples for laboratory analysis. During the drive, they seized and destroyed 1,400 kg of palm-oil-based mawa sweets worth Rs 5.6 lakh after finding them substandard. Officials urged vendors to comply with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, obtain the required licence or registration, and maintain quality and hygiene standards.
Nashik : With lakhs of devotees flocking to Saptashrungi Gad during Navaratra, the Food and Drug Administration has launched a special drive to ensure that the food and prasad sold on the hill is safe for consumption.
Mangesh Mane, the joint director of FDA Nashik, said devotees not only consume food sold on the hill but also buy pedhas from prasad shops. Against this backdrop, inspections were carried out across food establishments, sweet vendors, pedha prasad shops, and other food outlets on the hill,” he said. Mane said the administration was enforcing food safety norms to ensure devotees receive safe and high-quality food during the festival. They said the campaign combines enforcement with awareness to strengthen food safety at one of the state’s busiest pilgrimage centres during the festive rush.
The sweets lacked proper labelling and were stored in unhygienic conditions. “During Navaratra, a large number of devotees visit Saptashrungi Gad to offer prayers to Goddess Saptashrungi. The inspections focused on food quality, hygiene, storage and handling practices. FDA assistant commissioner Sandeep Deore also met pedha vendors and briefed them on food safety regulations, cleanliness standards, proper storage and safe handling of food items. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Nashik | Silver Rate in Nashik | Bank Holidays in Nashik | Public Holidays in Nashik | Petrol Price in Nashik | Diesel Price in Nashik | CNG Price in Nashik | LPG Price in Nashik