Delhi destroys 6,700 kg of foul-smelling khoya, CM Rekha Gupta warns adulterators

The Delhi government has destroyed 6,700 kg of unsafe and foul-smelling khoya seized from a wholesale market in the national capital, with 35 of the 44 samples collected during the crackdown failing preliminary tests.Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited Mori Gate's khoya market on Tuesday, November 3, to inspect the operation carried out by the Food Safety Department ahead of Diwali and other upcoming festivals. She warned that the government would not tolerate any compromise with public health and that those involved in food adulteration would face strict legal action.The latest operation is part of an intensified crackdown on suspected food adulteration during the festive season. With large quantities of khoya used in sweets and other festive preparations, the government has stepped up inspections to prevent unsafe products from reaching consumers.Gupta directed officials to ensure that no suspicious food products entered the market or reached the public. She said providing safe and good-quality food during festivals was the government's responsibility and warned that even influential people involved in adulteration would be brought under the law."Those who poison the happiness of festivals will not be spared under any circumstances," the Chief Minister said.35 OF 44 KHOOYA SAMPLES FAIL PRELIMINARY TESTS The Food Safety Department collected 44 surveillance samples during the operation at Mori Gate. These were tested on the spot using the department's mobile testing facility, 'Food Safety on Wheels'.Of the 44 samples, 35 failed the preliminary tests. Two additional samples were also collected and sent to a laboratory for detailed examination.The initial tests indicated the possible presence of substances associated with milk powder, vegetable fat and binding agents in the suspicious material. The samples have been sent for further analysis to establish their actual composition and quality.This was the fourth major crackdown by the Food Safety Department at the Mori Gate khoya market.Officials seized and destroyed the suspicious stock at the spot to prevent it from being used in the preparation or sale of food products.HEALTH MINISTER SAYS FAKE MAWA WAS BEING BROUGHT TO DELHIDelhi Health Minister Dr Pankaj Singh told India Today that the government had received information about large quantities of fake mawa being brought into the capital through Mori Gate.According to Singh, he held a planning meeting with Food Safety Department officials late on Monday before the team conducted raids in the area on Tuesday morning."As long as I am the Health Minister of Delhi, we will not allow fake mawa to be sold in the city," Singh said.REKHA GUPTA WARNS ADULTERATORS OF STRICT ACTIONDuring her visit, Gupta congratulated the Food Safety Department's team for carrying out the operation and praised the officials for their vigilance and timely action.She directed the department to continue regular inspections and raids throughout the festive season to ensure the quality of food products being sold in Delhi.7,000 kg of adulterated khoya seized in a major crackdown at Turkman Gate! Visited the site to personally review the Food Safety Department’s operation and directed the strictest legal action against those responsible. Raids will be intensified across Delhi, during the festive season and throughout the year. The crackdown will be relentless. Nobody will be allowed to play with people’s health for profit.— Rekha Gupta (@gupta_rekha) November 3, 2026The Chief Minister also stressed that the government's objective was not limited to seizing adulterated food products but to prevent such activities altogether.She asked officials to ensure there was no laxity in identifying suspicious food items, testing samples and initiating legal proceedings against those responsible.Gupta warned that Delhi would have no place for people adulterating food during Diwali, adding that public health remained the government's top priority.DELHI DESTROYS 10,660 KG OF KHOOYA SO FARWith the latest seizure, the total quantity of unsafe and suspicious khoya destroyed by the Delhi government has reached 10,660 kg.According to the Food Safety Department, 2,830 kg of khoya was destroyed on September 4, followed by another 610 kg on September 8.On October 23, the department destroyed 520 kg of khoya. The latest operation on November 3 resulted in the destruction of another 6,700 kg from the Mori Gate market.The government has warned that inspections and enforcement action will continue as it steps up efforts to prevent adulterated food products from entering the market during the festive season.- Ends