Food Safety Van campaign begins today

TNNLudhiana: The health department on Monday said it has intensified its drive against food adulteration across the district and will conduct a special Food Safety Van campaign from April 7 to April 21 to ensure safe and hygienic food for the public. Giving details, civil surgeon Dr Ashish Chawla said the campaign is aimed purely at public safety and awareness and that there is no need for panic. He said the objective is to educate citizens and provide on-the-spot food testing facilities.Dr Chawla said the Food Safety Van is equipped with modern preliminary testing facilities, allowing citizens to get food samples tested at a nominal cost of Rs 50. He added that apart from testing, the department will also focus on educating street vendors, dairy operators, sweet shop owners and fast-food vendors about food safety standards and hygienic practices.As per the schedule, the campaign will begin at Haibowal Dairy Complex on April 7, followed by Sabzi Mandi, Jalandhar Bypass, on April 8. The van will visit the meritorious school and Rose Garden on April 9, Jamalpur and nearby areas, focusing on fast-food vendors on April 10, and the bus stand on April 11. Kipps Market will be covered on April 12, while Rakh Bagh, Durga Mata Mandir and Guru Nanak Stadium are scheduled for April 13. Areas near Dukhniwaran Sahib gurdwara will be covered on April 14, Tajpur Road Dairy Complex on April 15, and PAU Ludhiana on April 16. Dana Mandi, Jagraon will be covered on April 17, followed by areas near Government School, Indrapuri, on April 18. The Food Safety Van will visit GTB Market Committee, Khanna, on April 19, the railway station on April 20 and Samrala on April 21.The health department said the campaign is being conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India and focuses on promoting safe, hygienic and adulteration-free food practices. The department has appealed to the public to actively participate in the initiative, get their food samples tested and contribute towards building a healthier and safer society.