25% samples of roadside ‘gur’, ‘shakkar’ fail quality test in Punjab

Vishav Bharti

Chandigarh, January 23

Roadside ‘gur’ and ‘shakkar’ manufacturing units in the state may not be making and selling pure products, according to a drive of the Punjab’s Food Safety Wing. Around 25 per cent of the products failed the quality test as most of these units were found adulterating their products with synthetic colours and artificial sweeteners.

In the first week of January, the Food Safety Wing of Punjab’s Food and Drug Administration collected samples from 81 ‘gur’ and ‘shakkar’ manufacturing units located in 22 districts across the state. Sixtytwo samples of ‘gur’ and 19 of ‘shakkar’ were collected, and of these 20 samples were found not meeting the food safety standards.

Of the failed samples, it was found that around 90 per cent had added synthetic colours to make ‘gur’ and ‘shakkar’ more attractive. According to food experts, the synthetic colours were hazardous for human health. Apart from that, around 10 per cent samples were found adulterated with artificial sweeteners.

Among the districts where adulteration was found the highest was Kapurthala, where 100 per cent samples failed the quality test. It was followed by Hoshiarpur, where 75 per cent of the collected samples failed the test. In Pathankot, Faridkot and Fazilka, 50 per cent samples were found unfit for consumption, while in Ropar 33 per cent and in SBS Nagar, Fatehgarh Sahib and in Patiala 25 per cent samples failed to meet the food safety standards. The districts where all the samples passed the quality test included Tarn Taran, Sangrur, Muktsar, Moga, Mansa, Malerkotla, Gurdaspur, Bathinda and Barnala.

To make the food more attractive the manufactures often indulge in adding synthetic colours which are mostly made by mixing chemicals.