Don't be surprised if a team from Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) calls on you. In a van equipped with a laboratory, the team is heading to neighbourhoods to teach them how to spot food adulteration. They will demonstrate these methods, which together constitute “Deduct Adulteration With Rapid Test” (DART).
DART consists 40 simple and quick tests that can be performed on food samples that include dairy products, spices and condiments, edible oils, salt and food grains.
FSSAI does this service for residents three days a week — Monday, Wednesday and Friday — 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Residents can bring their food samples and get them tested on-the-spot for adulteration.
An official attached to the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department in Saidapet says, “The objective of the exercise is to create awareness among consumers about various forms of food adulteration. Residents can conduct some of these tests themselves, as they don’t require sophisticated equipment. A few of them may however require reagents. The initiative response has evoked a good response from the public.”
Localities where this exercise has been carried out include K.K. Nagar, Nungambakkam, Kodambakkam, Virugambakkam, Egmore, T. Nagar, Chetpet, Royapettah, Kasimedu, Broadway, Anna Nagar, Adambakkam and Taramani.
Residents welfare associations that may want the exercise carried out for their members, may call 044-2381 3095/ 99400 67099.
Consumers who may have a complaint to send to Food Safety and Drug Administration Department may send it to the WhatsApp number: 94440 42322.
