NEW DELHI: The Food Safety Department of the Delhi Government is conducting a continuous campaign to ensure the availability of pure, safe, and high-quality food products to the people during Deepavali and other festivals. In this series, departmental teams inspected sweet shops, dairies, and food manufacturing units in various areas of North-East, East, Shahdara, South, and South-East Delhi.During the drive, a total of 40 samples of various food items, including sweets and dairy products, were collected for testing. Meanwhile, nearly 100 kilograms of food material unfit for human consumption was destroyed at a dairy located in Mandoli Extension, according to the release.Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has issued instructions to the Food Safety Department to conduct regular inspections of sweet shops, dairies, and food manufacturing units and to ensure strict action against violators as per the rules.During inspections carried out in the North-East, East, and Shahdara regions, departmental teams collected 22 samples of various food items, including khoya, paneer, ghee, kalakand, laddu, gulab jamun, and dry fruit gift packs. During the inspection at a dairy in Mandoli Extension, foul-smelling khoya, rasgullas, and milk contaminated with mosquitoes and flies were found. Taking immediate action, the department destroyed nearly 100 kilograms of such food material that was unfit for consumption, according to the release.Keeping the festival season in mind, a special drive was also conducted in South and South-East Delhi. Under this, 12 establishments, including sweet shops and manufacturing units, were inspected.A total of 18 samples of laddu, barfi, kalakand, rasgulla, khoya, chena, paneer, ghee, and skimmed milk powder were collected from these sites for testing. Additionally, action was taken on a complaint received regarding a sweet manufacturing unit located in Nihal Vihar.The departmental team reached the spot, inspected the unit, and collected three samples for testing. During the inquiry, the unit was found operating without FSSAI registration.During the inspections, compliance with prescribed sanitation and hygiene standards at food establishments was also checked. Where deficiencies were identified, improvement notices were issued to a total of eight establishments for corrective action. The department clarified that further action will be initiated based on laboratory reports of the food samples and the findings of the inspections.Chief Minister Rekha Gupta stated that the joy of festivals is meaningful only when the food items reaching every family are pure, safe, and healthy. Food adulteration, sale of contaminated items, and disregard for hygiene standards are serious issues directly linked to public health.The Delhi Government will not tolerate any negligence in this regard. Instructions have been issued to the Food Safety Department to conduct regular inspections of sweet shops, dairies, and food manufacturing units and to ensure strict action against rule violators in accordance with the law.She added that the government’s aim is not merely to take action against irregularities, but to develop a system that ensures Delhiites receive reliable and high-quality food materials throughout the year, especially during festivals. Protecting public health and maintaining consumer trust remain among the government’s topmost priorities.
