Jaipur: In a major crackdown at Aravalli Trade Vision cold storage in Muhana Mandi, food safety dept teams destroyed around 8,500 kg of rotten and fungus-infected fruits along with 1,500 kg of expired dates.Food safety commissioner Dr T Shubhmangala said the action was taken during an early morning inspection drive launched to monitor fruit quality during the summer season.During the inspection, officials found large quantities of spoilt, rotten and fungus-infected apples, grapes, pomegranates, oranges and other fruits stored at the facility.The firm’s manager informed the dept that the fruits belonged to various traders. Officials then called the traders to the site. After waiting nearly four to five hours, some traders arrived and admitted that the spoiled fruits were being sorted and washed before being sold to retail traders at lower prices.Officials issued strict warnings and directed traders not to sell unfit produce. The contaminated fruits and expired dates were later destroyed at the mandi dumping yard.The dept said notices would be issued to the traders concerned and action taken under the Food Safety and Standards Act.During the drive, officials also inspected mango warehouses. A meeting was held with the Phal Mandi Vyapar Sangh, where traders were informed about the safe and scientific use of ethylene.Mandi officials were directed to ensure that rotten fruits stored in cold storage facilities were not sold in the market.The dept also urged fruit and vegetable vendors to obtain mandatory licences under the Food Safety and Standards Act.
