NAVI MUMBAI: The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation will soon check the legality of various sugarcane juice stalls in Maharashtra’s Navi Mumbai, following a complaint over concerns of public health.
RTI activist Anarjit Chauhan said: “While most of the over 300 roadside sugarcane stalls in the city have licence numbers from the civic body, almost none of them have any permission or the certificate of the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA). Since sugarcane juice is legally a food product for public consumption, such juice stalls must also have valid permits from the FDA.”
“Also, the quality of ice used in it is questionable, as it can lead to water-borne diseases,” Chauhan said, adding, “It is observed that most of the sugarcane stalls are swarming with flies, around the crushed sugarcanes, which is again a hygiene issue.”
Deputy municipal commissioner (licensing) Shriram Pawar said, “We will soon begin inquiring about all the sugarcane stalls as per the complaint received, as it involves public health. We will also check with the FDA as to what conditions are to be fulfilled in this regard.”
“During summer time, many citizens rush to juice vendors to beat the heat. However, if these are not checked and certified by the authorities, it can cause health issues from mild stomach upsets to gastro or even typhoid,” a civic health official said.
Meanwhile, Chauhan, said “I have also urged the FDA to check the innumerable Neera stalls along the Sion-Panvel highway, since the same problem persists here too.”
RTI activist Anarjit Chauhan said: “While most of the over 300 roadside sugarcane stalls in the city have licence numbers from the civic body, almost none of them have any permission or the certificate of the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA). Since sugarcane juice is legally a food product for public consumption, such juice stalls must also have valid permits from the FDA.”
“Also, the quality of ice used in it is questionable, as it can lead to water-borne diseases,” Chauhan said, adding, “It is observed that most of the sugarcane stalls are swarming with flies, around the crushed sugarcanes, which is again a hygiene issue.”
Deputy municipal commissioner (licensing) Shriram Pawar said, “We will soon begin inquiring about all the sugarcane stalls as per the complaint received, as it involves public health. We will also check with the FDA as to what conditions are to be fulfilled in this regard.”
“During summer time, many citizens rush to juice vendors to beat the heat. However, if these are not checked and certified by the authorities, it can cause health issues from mild stomach upsets to gastro or even typhoid,” a civic health official said.
Meanwhile, Chauhan, said “I have also urged the FDA to check the innumerable Neera stalls along the Sion-Panvel highway, since the same problem persists here too.”
