Delhi's Diwali food crackdown: 100kg of unsafe food destroyed, 40 samples seized

The Delhi government's food safety department has destroyed nearly 100 kilograms of food material found unfit for consumption and collected 40 samples of sweets and dairy products during a citywide inspection drive ahead of Diwali, officials said.The inspections covered sweet shops, dairies and food manufacturing units across several parts of the national capital to check compliance with food safety, sanitation and hygiene standards.According to a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) on Friday, inspection teams conducted checks in North-East, East, Shahdara, South and South-East Delhi.During the drive, officials collected 22 samples of khoya, paneer, ghee, kalakand, laddus, gulab jamun and dry fruit gift packs from establishments in North-East, East and Shahdara. A major violation was detected at a dairy in Mandoli Extension, where officials found foul-smelling khoya, along with rasgullas and milk contaminated with mosquitoes and flies.Following the inspection, nearly 100 kilograms of food material were destroyed at the premises to prevent its consumption, the statement said. In South and South-East Delhi, authorities inspected 12 sweet shops and manufacturing units and collected another 18 samples for laboratory testing.These included laddus, barfi, kalakand, rasgulla, khoya, chhena, paneer, ghee and skimmed milk powder.The department also inspected a sweet manufacturing unit in Nihal Vihar following a complaint.Officials collected three samples from the premises and found that the unit was operating without registration from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).Besides the food safety violations, inspection teams identified shortcomings in sanitation and hygiene at several establishments.Improvement notices were issued to eight establishments, directing them to address the deficiencies.Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the government would not tolerate food adulteration or negligence in maintaining hygiene standards, particularly during the festive season.She emphasised that "Protecting public health and maintaining consumer trust remain among the government's topmost priorities."Gupta also directed the food safety department to continue regular inspections of sweet shops, dairies and manufacturing units and take strict action against those violating food safety norms.The department is expected to initiate further action against the establishments concerned based on laboratory test reports and inspection findings.Officials said the enforcement drive would continue to ensure the availability of safe and hygienic food products during the festive season.- Ends