Sale of substandard food sachets on rise in Kakinada

Kakinada: The sale of substandard food items in sachets is on the rise in East Godavari. Traders across the district opt for making of these items and circulate to wholesellers who in turn sell them to small traders like pawnshops, petty traders, and roadside vendors. Though the same is going on for years, the concerned department Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the Legal Metrology department under the State government seems to have no clues on this trade. According to reliable information, the making and supply of substandard sachets at Rs 2 and Rs 3 is being carried out by traders in Biccavolu, G Mamidada, Dairy Farm Centre and Jaganaickpur in Kakinada city and in neighboring areas in the district. The sellers opt for sale of these items along with sachets of standard companies.

Social activist and president of Kakinada Municipal and Mandal Consumers Welfare Association D Ramana Raju observed that in this trade, the supply of food items in sachets for Rs 2 and Rs 3 should be checked immediately as there is no clue of what the makers of these use as ingredients. Raju said the ingredients in the sachets would be hazardous for health as majority of the consumers are children. Former president of IMA Kakinada branch Dr Ram Swaroop Jawahar said the consumption of food items made from substandard ingredients will lead to stomach disorders, diarrhea and worm's infestation. Speaking on the issue, FSSAI Inspector Vennalapu Rukmayya said that he is not aware of such trade going on in large scale in the district in wholesale and retail markets. He said he would act on the makers if anyone lodges complaint in this regard.