IMPHAL, April 4: The state Health department has imposed a ban on the sale of the `Sea Cherry Mackerels Sowkar (In Brine)` food item in the State with immediate effect and until further orders in the interest of public health, said a DIPR statement.
“The food item/brand “Sea Cherry Mackerels Sowkar (In Brine)” manufactured by M/s Sowkar Canning Company, Udyavara 574 118 (Karnataka) and with M/s Y Krishna Singh & Sons of Nipa Keithel, Waheng Leikai, Imphal, as the sole agent of Manipur, has been found selling in the markets of Manipur. This particular brand of food was found rotten and unfit for human consumption as it contained high percentage of yeast and mould,” the statement said.
“It violates regulation no. 2.6.1 (8) (Note II) (Fish & Fish Products) of the food safety and standards (food products standards & food additives) Regulations, 2011 and hence the food item is unsafe and sub-standard under Section 3(1) (ZX) & (ZZ) (I)(II) of the food Safety and Standards Act, 2006,” it said.
“The said food item does not follow the mandatory regulations of lot/Code/Batch identification as given under Regulation no. 2.2.1 (8) (General Requirement of Labelling) under the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011,” it said.
Violation of this order shall be liable for punishment as per provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, it added.