Food safety officials inspected shops and food establishments in Lohaghat, Champawat, on Tuesday, collecting 4 samples for laboratory examination and destroying 4 buckets of ice cream at a separate outlet.
The inspection covered Meena Market, Hathrangiya and the Pithoragarh Road area. Officials collected samples of porridge, macaroni, biscuits and oil. The samples have been sent to a laboratory, and their compliance with quality standards will be known only after the reports are received.
Expired ingredients found at ice cream outlet
The operation was conducted under the leadership of Senior Food Safety Officer Yogita Tiwari. The team checked general stores and shops selling ice cream during the exercise.
At one ice cream shop, officials found expired food colour and flavouring. The department said these ingredients had been used in 4 buckets of ice cream prepared at the premises. The ice cream was destroyed on the spot.
The shopkeeper has received a notice and has been asked to submit a reply within 4 days. The department said further action under food safety law would follow if the response is not considered satisfactory.
Advice issued to food businesses
Officials instructed traders to obtain an FSSAI licence and display it at their shops. They were also told to keep expired products separately and maintain the quality of food items.
The inspection team included Assistant Dinesh Fartyal. No laboratory conclusion has yet been issued on the 4 collected samples, so their final quality status remains pending.
What happens next
The immediate next step is the laboratory assessment of the collected food samples. Separately, the ice cream shop must respond to the notice within 4 days, after which the department will decide whether further legal action is required.
Conclusion
The Lohaghat inspection led to the destruction of 4 buckets of ice cream and laboratory testing of 4 food samples. Further action will depend on the shopkeeper’s reply and the test results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Where were the inspections conducted?
The checks took place in Meena Market, Hathrangiya and the Pithoragarh Road area of Lohaghat.
Q. Which food items were sampled?
Officials collected samples of porridge, macaroni, biscuits and oil for laboratory testing.
Q. What was found at the ice cream shop?
Expired food colour and flavouring were found at one ice cream outlet.
Q. Why was the ice cream destroyed?
The department said the expired ingredients had been used in 4 buckets of ice cream prepared at the shop.
Q. What action has been taken against the shopkeeper?
A notice was issued, requiring a reply within 4 days. Further action under food safety law may follow if the response is unsatisfactory.
Q. When will the quality of the samples be known?
The department said their status will be clear after the laboratory reports are received.
