Private detectives likely to check food adulteration in Delhi

Private snoopers may soon be working shoulder to shoulder with government agencies in the national capital to check adulteration of food items, which is on the rise in the city.

A delegation of the Association of Private Detectives of India (APDI) will meet officials of Delhi government, Quality Council of India and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, in this regard.

The move comes in the wake of government's effort to check food adulteration and ensure quality food items which will be served to a large number of delegates and tourists during the Commonwealth Games slated for October here.

"We are already extending our services to many departments. This is a new initiative, as we foresee our larger role in ensuring food quality before the mega-sporting event here," APDI chairman Kunwar Vikram Singh said.

He said the association has contacted officials at different state- and Central-run authorities, and "we are hopeful of getting a formal approval from them".

Delhi government's department of Prevention of Food Adulteration has been entrusted to check adulteration in the vicinity of the national capital.

Singh said the main area of food adulteration and counterfeit products is packaged drinking water, masalas, branded milk and hard drinks, among others.