Holi is one of the most vibrant festivals celebrated in India and is known for its colorful celebrations, joyous atmosphere, and delicious traditional dishes. It is celebrated in various parts of the country but is particularly popular in the northern region of India. During Holi, people come together to smear each other with colorful powders and to indulge in a range of sweet and savory snacks and drinks.
One of the most popular Holi drinks is Thandai, which is a cold, creamy, and refreshing drink that is traditionally made using milk, almonds, and a variety of spices. However, with the rise in milk adulteration, especially during festivals like Holi, it has become crucial to ensure the safety and purity of milk and milk products that are used in Thandai and other dishes.
In light of this, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a statement urging all states and Union Territories to deploy mobile testing vans to check the quality of milk and milk products during the Holi festival. These ‘Food Safety on Wheels’ (FSW) mobile food testing vans are equipped with state-of-the-art Milk-o-Screen systems that can perform on-the-spot testing of milk and milk products for fats, solid-not-fat, protein, and adulterants like added water, urea, sucrose, maltodextrin, and ammonium sulfate.
The FSSAI has also requested the Commissioner of Food Safety of all states and UT’s to test at least 10 samples of milk and milk products on a daily basis to ensure that the products available in the market are safe and pure. Consumers are also being encouraged to have their milk and milk products tested through the nearest FSW’s.
The FSSAI has made the testing service free of charge for the time being to promote vigilance against milk adulteration and to ensure that the products available in the market are safe for consumption. The FSSAI has also advised consumers to be vigilant and to purchase milk and milk products only from reliable sources. Additionally, the FSSAI has urged food businesses to comply with food safety regulations and to ensure the quality and safety of their products.
The FSSAI’s initiative to deploy mobile food testing vans and promote the testing of milk and milk products during Holi is a much-needed step in ensuring the safety and purity of food products during festivals. It is crucial that everyone plays their part in promoting food safety and adhering to food safety regulations to prevent adulteration and ensure the availability of safe and healthy food products.
