Dehradun: The Uttarakhand government has imposed strict regulations on the sale of buckwheat (kuttu) flour during Navratri. Vendors will now require a license to sell buckwheat flour, and it can only be sold in sealed packets. The Food Safety and Drug Administration Department has issued strict directives in this regard.
Ban on Loose Flour Sales
Health Secretary and Food Safety Commissioner Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar stated that this decision was made following the directives of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Health Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat. No vendor will be allowed to sell loose buckwheat flour. All sellers must obtain a license under the Food Safety Act 2006, and each packet must display the manufacturing date, expiry date, and license number.
Adulterated Samples Detected, Legal Action Initiated
Six samples of buckwheat flour collected from different districts failed quality tests. Adulteration with mycotoxins and fungal contamination was found in samples from Dehradun, Haridwar, and Udham Singh Nagar. The affected vendors include:
- Lakshmi Trading Company, Vikasnagar (Dehradun)
- Natraj Agency (Haridwar)
- Jai Maiya Kirana Store (Udham Singh Nagar)
Legal proceedings have been initiated against the sellers involved in adulteration. Commissioner Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar warned that strict action will be taken against any vendor violating these regulations. Maintaining proper sales records is now mandatory for all sellers. The Food Safety Department has urged consumers to purchase only sealed and licensed buckwheat flour. If anyone finds a suspicious product, they can file a complaint with the department.
