PUNJAB ROLLS OUT ‘FOOD SAFETY ON WHEELS’ ACROSS ALL DISTRICTS, URGES PUBLIC TO TEST FOOD
-HEALTH MINISTER DR BALBIR SINGH CRACKS DOWN ON ADULTERATION WITH 145 CONVICTIONS IN 5 YEARS
-OVER 43,000 FOOD SAMPLES TESTED SINCE CM BHAGWANT SINGH MANN’S GOVERNMENT TOOK OFFICE
-MOBILE VANS ENABLE TESTING OF ESSENTIALS LIKE MILK, PANEER, AND SPICES
CHANDIGARH, August 6
Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh, reinforcing Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s commitment to safe and healthy food, urged Punjab residents to utilize the expanded ‘Food Safety on Wheels’ initiative, now available in all districts.
These Mobile Food Testing Vans are equipped to detect adulteration in everyday items such as milk, paneer, water, and other staples. “These vans are vital in our battle against food adulteration. I encourage everyone to test their food,” Dr Balbir Singh said during a press conference at Punjab Bhawan, themed “If it’s not safe, it’s not food.” He was joined by Principal Secretary Health Kumar Rahul, FDA Commissioner Dilraj Singh, Director Labs Ravneet Kaur, and Joint Commissioner Food Safety Dr Amit Joshi.
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Since the Mann-led government assumed power, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has collected 18,559 enforcement samples and 12,178 surveillance samples, with over 13,000 samples tested for adulteration via mobile vans. Tested items include paneer, ghee, milk, spices, fruits, vegetables, sweets, and khoa.
Dr Balbir Singh directed FDA officials to maximize the use of these vans, raise awareness among students and the public, and implement policies transparently. He emphasized, “Only Shudh Ann (pure food) leads to Shudh Mann (pure mind) and Swasth Tann (healthy body).”
The Minister warned that food adulteration would face strict consequences, noting that courts have imposed up to six months’ imprisonment and fines in 145 cases over the past five years. He also reported that 3.17 lakh licenses and registrations have been issued to Food Business Operators (FBOs), urging all, including street vendors, to register with the FDA.
Highlighting the importance of balanced diets, Dr Balbir Singh called for stronger FDA-led public education on nutrition and health initiatives. He promoted the “Eat Right, Stay Healthy” approach to foster a healthier, nutritionally secure Punjab.
Additionally, the FDA has conducted 500 awareness camps, training over 55,000 people on hygiene and food safety practices. In the last three years, 13 Eat Right Melas have been organized, and 150 certifications have been awarded for Eat Right Campuses, Mandis, and Street Food Hubs.
