Food safety officials inspect online food sellers

WARANGAL: Food safety officials conducted inspections at online food outlets and eateries in Warangal city on Saturday to check the quality of food items and protect consumer rights.

District Gazetted Food Inspector Krishnamurthy and Food Safety Officer Mounika, along with national consumer representatives Sambharaju Chakrapani and Mogilicherla Sudarshan and state representative Ravula Ranjith Kumar, inspected the Zepto online marketing store at Kothawada and Red Bucket Biryani, Continental Bakery and Grampus Bakery in Mandi Bazaar.

Complaint over ‘100% natural’ label

The consumer representatives brought to the officials’ notice a complaint regarding the words ‘100% natural’ printed on packets of Swastik brand chilli powder. They alleged that such claims were against consumer protection regulations.

Following the complaint, the officials collected samples of the Swastik chilli powder for testing.

Egg puff sold at inflated price

The representatives also complained that consumers were being charged excessively through online food delivery platforms. They said an egg puff that usually costs ₹15 was being sold online for around ₹70.

Sambharaju Chakrapani and Mogilicherla Sudarshan alleged that the use of substandard maida could harm consumers’ health and cause financial losses.

Complaint over biryani prices

The representatives further alleged that a small bucket of biryani sold for ₹130 was being offered for ₹180 on online applications, apart from additional platform fees.

They urged the authorities to ensure transparency in the display of prices and additional charges on online food platforms.

Based on the complaints, the food safety officials inspected the concerned outlets and examined the quality, packing and labelling of food products. The officials said the collected Swastik chilli powder samples would be sent for testing.

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KOTHA RAMESH

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