Boudh: A day after reports of adulterated wheat being sold in Boudh local market spread among consumers here in this district, the district civil supply department conducted a raid on the factory and sealed it Sunday.
Food security officer Nabakishore Sahu conducted the raids on grocery shops and stores that were allegedly selling the adulterated ‘Sherawali Sarvottam Atta’ in the local market. Meanwhile, the officials found the factory running without licence and therefore sealed it.
On the other hand, the grocery sellers and shopkeepers took the adulterated wheat packets off the shelves fearing raids. However, the officials seized many packets and warned consumers against using the product until it was tested. “We have seized many packets and will be sent to the State Civil Supply Office for examination. It will also be sent to Pune for tests,” Sahu said.
The report comes at a time when the consumers are yet to come out of the scare of Chinese plastic eggs and plastic cabbage. The matter came to the fore after many consumers raised an alarm in the town. Later, the Boudh Lawyers Association filed a complaint in the court and with the administration.
A lawyer, Om Prakash, was the first person to lodge a complaint. He suspected the authenticity of the product as the wheat did not get mixed properly with water. On mixing it with water, the wheat turned sticky like a chewing gum.
Many consumers called the wheat adulteration inhuman as they are being poisoned in the name of food. They demanded immediate verification of the product and action against the manufacturer. The Lawyers Association had earlier brought the matter to the notice of the district judge through a written complaint. They demanded action against the manufacturer. Necessary action will be taken after the laboratory test, an official said. PNN