GORAKHPUR, March 1 -- The food safety department on Saturday seized edible oil worth nearly Rs.24 lakh during a crackdown on adulteration in Sahjanwa and other parts of Gorakhpur. Officials found fresh and expired oil stored together at a manufacturing unit, prompting authorities to immediately halt its sale. Assistant commissioner of the department, Sudhir Kumar Singh, said the action was taken during a special inspection drive conducted by teams in the industrial area. During the raid at a private edible oil unit, officials found a large quantity of expired mustard oil kept alongside fresh stock, in violation of food safety norms. Singh said approximately Rs.10 lakh worth of expired mustard oil was seized from the packing section, while 674 tins of edible oil worth nearly Rs.14 lakh were barred from sale until laboratory testing is completed. "All suspected stock has been sealed and its sale prohibited. Samples have been collected and sent for laboratory analysis," he added. Officials also collected samples of mustard oil and refined edible oil from other wholesale markets for quality examination. The products will remain off the market until test reports confirm compliance with prescribed safety standards. Food safety officials said inspection drives have been intensified ahead of the festive season to prevent adulterated or expired food items from reaching consumers. During the same drive, teams also collected food samples from nearby establishments and issued notices to several operators for regulatory violations. In a related action, the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) seized around seven quintals of suspected adulterated khoya being transported from Mirzapur to Gorakhpur ahead of Holi festival. Officials said the consignment was intercepted during a special checking drive aimed at curbing the sale of adulterated food items during the festive season....