Shillong, Jun 1: After reports surfaced that vegetables, specifically a type of gourd known locally as potol, were treated with chemical dyes to make them appear fresher and then transported from a wholesale market in Assam to Meghalaya, the Food Safety Department (FSD) has collected samples from Ïewduh for testing.
“We will wait for the report of the samples collected today,” Bahun Shisha Mukhim, the Food Safety Commissioner (Enforcement), said. The results of the tests will be ready in a fortnight.
The FSD periodically takes samples of produce for testing, including when ordered as part of national sample-taking by the central government in order to compare samples across the nation.
Mukhim said that previous samples taken by the department showed no contamination of vegetables. “We have conducted spot tests but never found contamination,” she added.
As per reports of Guwahati-based media, the wholesale vegetable market in Barpeta Road saw some traders reportedly using chemical dyes to make rotten and spoiled vegetables appear fresh before selling them to consumers.
According to local residents and workers, rotten pointed gourds (potol) were allegedly being treated with green chemical colouring to enhance their appearance and make them look fresh for sale.
Visuals captured from the market allegedly showed vegetables being coated with a green substance, raising concerns about food safety and public health.
Authorities in Assam conducted a late-night inspection and seized 15 sacks of pointed gourds suspected to have been treated with chemical colouring agents.
