SHILLONG: Following widespread reports regarding the adulteration of vegetables, particularly pointed gourd (potol) being polished with artificial green dyes in the markets of Assam to make them appear fresh before being shipped to Meghalaya, the state Food Safety Department has launched a massive state-wide crackdown.
As part of this intensive drive, food safety officials have conducted extensive inspections and swab testing on vegetables and fruits across all twelve districts of Meghalaya.
To date, officials have collected over 300 samples from various local markets, including the major commercial hub of Iewduh.
During the inspections in Shillong, food safety officers successfully intercepted and immediately destroyed a consignment of pointed gourd suspected of being treated with artificial coloring before it could reach retail shops and consumers.
Encouraged by these preventive measures, the department is currently preparing to establish food safety checking gates at key entry points of the state to permanently block the influx of adulterated and chemically treated food items.
This proactive intervention was triggered by alarming reports from neighboring Assam, which revealed that vegetables were being coated with artificial dyes and harmful chemicals before being distributed to markets across the northeastern region.
Because Meghalaya heavily relies on external states for its supply of fresh fruits and vegetables, the Office of the Commissioner of Food Safety intensified its surveillance, sample collection, and deployed mobile laboratory testing units to guarantee food safety and safeguard public health.
Confirming the development, the Deputy Commissioner of Food Safety (Enforcement), D.B.S. Mukhim, stated that the department took immediate and decisive action as soon as the reports began circulating on social media. She explained that officers instantly mobilized to collect more than 300 varieties of fruits and vegetables from both large central markets and smaller local outlets to ensure they were safe for human consumption.
While a specific batch of pointed gourd in Shillong tested positive for suspected artificial dye and was promptly destroyed, Kong Mukhim reassured the public that the vast majority of the tested vegetables across the state showed no signs of contamination, noting that the intercepted contaminated supply was relatively small in quantity.
Despite most vegetables being declared safe to eat, the department emphasizes that continuous vigilance remains crucial due to the state’s heavy dependence on imported food items. The Food Safety Department is actively exploring ways to set up permanent inspection posts at major transit points like Byrnihat.
Although staffing and administrative constraints currently prevent the immediate setting up of permanent physical infrastructure, the department is effectively utilizing its ‘Food Safety on Wheels’ mobile testing vehicles to regularly monitor food quality across all districts.
The Deputy Commissioner also highlighted a significant challenge faced by enforcement officers, noting that many vegetable consignments enter the state without proper documentation, making it difficult to trace their exact source of origin.
To tackle this issue, the department has now strictly directed local wholesalers and retailers to maintain valid bills and purchase invoices, which will enable officials to trace the supply chain back to its source and take stringent legal action against violators.
In light of these events, the department has urged consumers to be highly cautious and inspect their produce thoroughly before purchase or consumption. Mukhim shared a simple home-testing method for citizens, explaining that consumers can submerge vegetables in water; if artificial dyes are present, the water will rapidly change color or turn green. Finally, the department requested the public to report any suspicious-looking fruits or vegetables to the nearest district Food Safety Office so that swift action can be taken, emphasizing that strong cooperation between traders and the public is essential to keep Meghalaya’s markets safe from health hazards.
