New Delhi, Sept. 23 -- With the festive season fuelling demand for sweets and milk-based products, the Delhi government has intensified its crackdown on suspected food adulteration, with more than 4,100 kg of khoya and paneer destroyed during enforcement drives over the past month. At Mori Gate Khoya Mandi alone, 22 of 30 khoya samples tested were found unsafe for human consumption, while 12 of 19 paneer and chhena samples failed to meet prescribed standards.
The action was carried out by the Food Safety Department on the directions of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, with inspections conducted at major markets and food-selling points, including Okhla Sabzi Mandi, Mori Gate Khoya Mandi, Bagh Diwar, Sanjay Market, Janakpuri, Shahdara, Ghazipur and Jheel. Of the 30 khoya samples collected from Mori Gate, only eight were found to meet the prescribed standards, while 22 were declared unsafe for human consumption. Similarly, test reports for 19 paneer and chhena samples showed that seven conformed to the standards and 12 did not.
Following the test results, the department has initiated prosecution proceedings against the concerned food business operators under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Enforcement teams also conducted inspections on Wednesday at Khari Baoli, Okhla Sabzi Mandi, Jheel in East Delhi and Janakpuri Mandi. The department said inspections, sampling and action against suspected or unsafe food products would continue through the festive season. Gupta said the government would not compromise on food safety during the period when consumption of sweets and dairy products increases.
"Festivals are a time for happiness and celebration, and a large number of people purchase sweets and milk-based products during this period. Those who put people's health at risk through adulteration will face strict action by the Delhi Government. Adulteration will not be tolerated at any cost, and those violating food safety regulations will face stringent action under the law," she said.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.