Fungus in Amul Shrikhand Shakes Valsad: DMart and Food Agencies Under Scanner
In a shocking incident, fungus was found in several packs of Amul Mango Shrikhand purchased from a DMart store in Vashiar, Valsad. The discovery has raised serious concerns about food safety and the maintenance of products by reputed brands. Following a complaint by a local customer, an investigation by the Food and Drug Department uncovered several spoiled packs in the store’s inventory.
Complaint Sparks Action Against Food Negligence
The issue came to light when local cloth merchant Ratansinh Chauhan bought Amul Mango Shrikhand for his daughter, only to discover fungus in the sealed packets. Alarmed by the condition of the product, he inspected other packets in the store and found the same issue. Unsatisfied with the store manager’s response, Chauhan lodged a formal complaint with the Food and Drug Department, providing video evidence of the contaminated products.
Inspection Uncovers Alarming Findings
Acting on the complaint, the Food and Drug Department conducted a thorough inspection of DMart’s storage facilities and a related agency, Jalaram. Their investigation revealed 58 packs of Shrikhand, weighing a total of 29.5 kilograms, that were deemed unfit for consumption. All spoiled products were immediately destroyed to prevent potential harm to the public.
Negligence Raises Questions on Food Safety
Chauhan expressed grave concerns over the apparent negligence by reputed brands like Amul and DMart, stating, “If someone had consumed this spoiled Shrikhand unknowingly, it could have led to serious health issues.” The incident highlights the urgent need for stringent quality checks and improved storage practices, especially for perishable food items.
Authorities Vow to Take Stringent Action
District Food Officer Vadvi assured citizens that strict action would be taken to ensure such incidents do not occur again. Meanwhile, consumers are being advised to carefully inspect packaged food items and promptly report any discrepancies to the authorities.
This incident has not only brought food safety to the forefront but also raised significant concerns about accountability within the retail and food manufacturing sectors.
