A disturbing incident has emerged from Amritsar, Punjab, where a customer reportedly found a dead lizard in a jar of pickle purchased from a local shop. This discovery has sparked outrage and heightened concerns regarding hygiene standards in food products sold in the area. The complainant, Comrade Charan Singh, a resident of Khalchian village, purchased one kilogram of pickle from a shop near Ram Bagh on October 28. Upon opening the jar at home, he allegedly found the lizard inside.

Singh expressed that the situation could have had dire consequences if a family member had consumed the contaminated pickle unknowingly. He accused local shopkeepers of selling food items stored in open containers without adhering to necessary hygiene protocols. Singh also questioned the effectiveness of the food safety department’s monitoring of such establishments, suggesting that inspections may only be intensified during festive periods.

Complainant Seeks Accountability and Consumer Awareness

In light of the incident, Singh has reached out to senior officials and the media, with support from the Tarksheel Society, to highlight the alleged negligence and prevent others from purchasing unsafe food products. He urged consumers to exercise caution when buying food items from markets, particularly loose pickles stored in open containers. Singh recommended that individuals consider preparing pickle at home under hygienic conditions to avoid similar risks.

Singh’s actions aim to raise awareness among consumers about the potential dangers of purchasing food items that may not meet safety standards. He emphasised the importance of vigilance when selecting food products, especially in local markets where hygiene may not be prioritised.

Food Safety Department Vows to Take Action

The District Health Officer (DHO) and Designated Officer of the Food Safety Department, Dr Manjit Singh Rataul, responded to the incident by stating that a team would be dispatched to inspect the shop once they received the complete address and details. Rataul acknowledged the seriousness of the complaint and noted that five food safety teams were currently conducting inspections throughout Amritsar in preparation for the festive season.

He confirmed that officials would collect samples of the pickle for testing. Should the samples be found unsafe or below the prescribed quality standards, strict legal action would be initiated against those responsible, including substantial penalties as mandated by law. Rataul also revealed that recent inspections had uncovered quality violations in various food products, including khoya, paneer, and sweets, with some samples deemed unsafe.

As the festive season approaches, Rataul urged consumers to exercise caution when purchasing sweets and other food items. He advised against buying brightly coloured sweets, particularly those in pink and green, and warned against products sold at significantly lower prices than usual. Additionally, he cautioned against purchasing uncovered food items, especially those exposed to flies, and encouraged food vendors to maintain high-quality standards in their offerings.

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