FSSAI, in a bid to ascertain the quality of khoya used for manufacturing of sweets in the country, has conducted a nationwide survey from October 12-16 by placing mobile food testing labs at several markets.
The decision to conduct a pan-India survey on khoya was taken after a representation was made before CEO, FSSAI, by members of Federation of Sweets and Namkeen Manufacturers recently, wherein they raised the issue of adulterated khoya being supplied to them.
“As a result, a pilot survey was conducted by Department of Food Safety, Delhi, under the guidance of FSSAI by placing Food Safety on Wheels at Mori Gate Khoya Mandi in Delhi between August 31 and September 4, 2020.”During this survey, khoya samples were tested by the mobile lab staff for 3 parameters viz.
Titratable acidity, maximum added starch and added sugar in khoya,” reads a statement by FSSAI. The statement added that a part of the khoya samples was also sent to the State Food Testing Laboratory for testing of other five parameters viz.
FSSAI said, “Considering that there was some failure in the samples collected at Delhi during the pilot survey, it has been decided to conduct a pan-India khoya quality survey.
“The Commissioner of Food Safety of all states were requested to select khoya mandis in their respective jurisdiction especially in big cities and place mobile food testing labs for 5 days from October 12 to 16, 2020, and encourage khoya buyers to get their khoya sample tested.
The final survey results will help in identification of the key hot spots for adulteration of khoya in different parts of the country and strengthen efforts in devising targeted enforcement drives in the coming months.