Jaipur: Food safety officials destroyed 1,550 packets of dairy products, 100kg of damaged food items and 7kg of allegedly expired products during an inspection of a Zepto dark store in Jagatpura Thursday.The food safety officers from the Commissionerate of Food Safety and Drug Control carried out the inspection under the state-wide “Shuddh Aahar–Milavat Par Vaar” campaign at the warehouse of JDS Marketing in Ramnagariya Vistar, A-Block.Officials said the cold room and deep freezer used to store dairy products were not maintaining prescribed temperatures, with readings ranging between 6 and 14 degrees Celsius. Following the inspection, around 1,550 packets of Saras and Amul milk, curd and buttermilk were destroyed on the spot.The team also found nearly 100kg of damaged food items stored without “Not for Sale” labels. These were destroyed at the facility. Around 7kg of expired products, including muesli, candy and bhujia, were also found kept for sale and were seized and destroyed.Officials reported hygiene violations at the facility, including pan masala and zarda spit marks around the dark store and cold room. The walls were stained with dirt and spit, while several iron racks used for storing food products were found broken, dirty and rusted.The department also collected samples of Pintola peanut butter and honey in the presence of store manager Kailash Chand Meena. The samples have been sent to the State Central Food Laboratory for testing.Officials said statutory action would be taken against the firm under the Food Safety and Standards Act if adulteration is detected or the products fail to meet prescribed standards.Joint commissioner (food safety) Vijay Prakash Sharma issued a notice to the dark store operator and directed immediate correction of deficiencies in storage, temperature control and hygiene. Officials said around 500 orders are delivered daily from the facility.The department said food safety and hygiene standards are mandatory for online food-delivery warehouses and dark stores and that strict action would continue across the state.
