The swoop-down against adulterators continues in Uttar Pradesh with the state Food and Drug Administration (FDA) so far arresting about 800 persons and lodging as many First Information Reports (FIRs) all over the state.
The vigourous drive against the culprits of adulteration in medicines and food items has been on since last year and it started before Diwali.
Collectively, in the last couple of months, over 2,500 samples of milk and food products had been examined by FDA. Yesterday itself, food samples were collected at 55 households in three districts of Pratapgarh, Siddharth Nagar and Rae Bareli, an FDA spokesperson said here. However, the samples were found clean.
So far, FDA had lodged 820 FIRs relating to adulteration in food items and medicines, in which 1,238 persons were named, of which almost 800 had been arrested.
Under Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 814 persons were named in 522 cases, of which almost 500 persons had been arrested. Meanwhile, under Drugs and Cosmetic Act, FIRs were lodged in 298 cases and 424 persons arrested, of which 300 had been arrested and sent to jail.
In the drive, adulterated food items and medicines worth a total of over Rs 8 crore had been confiscated by the authorities.
Besides, the state government has asked the general public to come forward against acts of adulteration and lodge complaint on toll free number 1800 180 5533, which will prompt authorities to act and take penal action against the culprits.
