Bhopal: The Food Safety Department sealed a bakery and sweets manufacturing unit in Acharpura Industrial Area near Eintkhedi on Friday after finding major hygiene and food safety violations during an inspection.
Officials said the unit, B.K. Food Products, was operating in poor conditions and did not have a valid food licence for the premises where production was taking place.
The inspection was carried out at Plot No. 96 by a team led by Chief Food Safety Officer Shivraj Pawak. Food Safety Officers Pankaj Srivastava and Sadhana Saxena were also part of the inspection team.
During the inspection, officials asked factory in-charge Indra Kukreja, son of Ramesh Kukreja, to produce the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licence. The licence produced by the unit was registered for Kisan Market, Shop No. 4, Lambakheda, Berasia Road, and not for the Acharpura premises. Officials found that the manufacturing unit had been shifted to the new location about a month ago without obtaining a valid licence for the site.
Inspectors also found that cookies, gulab jamun, cream rolls and cream biscuits were being prepared and stored in the open during the monsoon season without proper protection. Officials said such conditions increased the risk of contamination and made the food unsafe for consumers.
The inspection revealed several violations of Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards Act. The production area did not have the required wall tiles, and the unit failed to produce a pest control certificate. Officials also found no proper pest management system inside the factory.
The inspection team found that none of the 11 workers, including six women and five men, had valid health medical certificates. Officials said health checks are mandatory for workers involved in food preparation.
Another serious violation was found in the storage area, where eggs were kept next to vegetarian food ingredients. Officials said this practice violated food safety norms and increased the risk of cross-contamination.
Food Safety Officers collected legal samples of food products from the unit and sent them to the State Food Laboratory for testing. The results will determine further action under the Food Safety and Standards Act.
After documenting the violations in the presence of witnesses and the food business operator, the inspection team sealed the factory until further orders. Officials said strict action would continue against food manufacturing units operating without valid licences or violating food safety standards. They also urged all food businesses in the district to obtain the required licences and follow prescribed safety norms.
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