Maharashtra government to make food adulteration non-bailable offense
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Maharashtra government today said it would make food adulteration a non-bailable offense and provide for life-term to the offenders. Food and Civil Supplies Minister, Girish Bapat, informed the Legislative Council that the government would amend the existing law. According to the current Prevention of Food Adulteration (Maharashtra Amendment) Act, those found guilty of food adulteration could face imprisonment of six months.
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Act to be tabled in House before winter session ends
Bapat said amendments to the act will be tabled in the House before the ongoing winter session of state Legislature ends. Responding to a calling-notice by Congress MLA Bhai Jagtap, Bapat said the government was aware of the consequences of food adulteration.
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Substances like detergent powder, urea are mixed in milk: Jagtap
Jagtap said milk processing companies collect milk from farmers but the liquid turns "poisonous" by the time it reaches consumers. "Substances like detergent powder, urea, skimmed milk powder, caustic soda are mixed in milk...endangering lives of people who consume it," he said. People cannot detect food adulteration easily and despite surprise checks by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), such malpractices continue unabated.