New Delhi, 03 November (H.S.): The Delhi Government's Food Safety Department on Tuesday carried out a major enforcement operation at Khoya Mandi in Mori Gate, seizing and destroying approximately 7,000 kg of adulterated and foul-smelling khoya. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited the site and personally inspected the entire operation.

During her visit, the Chief Minister sought detailed information from officials about every aspect of the operation and ensured that the suspected food products did not enter the food supply chain and reach consumers under any circumstances. She asserted that the government would not compromise on public health. Ensuring access to safe and quality food during the festive season was among the government's primary responsibilities, she said. Gupta further stated that strict action would be taken against those involved in food adulteration, irrespective of their influence, and that they would be brought within the ambit of the law.

The Food Safety Department's operation was aimed at preventing substandard and suspicious food products from reaching consumers through the market and safeguarding public health. This was the department's fourth operation at Khoya Mandi in Mori Gate.

During the campaign, the department's team collected 44 surveillance samples from the market. These were subjected to preliminary on-the-spot testing through the mobile 'Food Safety on Wheels' facility, with 35 samples failing the initial tests. Two additional samples were also collected and sent to a laboratory for detailed examination.

The preliminary on-site tests indicated the presence of substances associated with milk powder, vanaspati and binding agents in the suspected material. Samples have been forwarded to the laboratory for further investigation into the composition of these ingredients.

The Chief Minister congratulated the entire Food Safety Department team on the operation. She said that the vigilance, hard work and timely intervention of officials helped curb activities such as food adulteration. She also directed the team to continue working with the same promptness and commitment.

CM Gupta said there was no place in Delhi for those who adulterated food and sought to undermine the festive spirit of Diwali. She emphasised that the government's objective was not merely to detect and seize adulterated food products but also to ensure effective measures to prevent such activities.

Acting on the Chief Minister's directions, the Food Safety Department has been conducting sustained anti-adulteration drives in view of the festive season. As part of the action taken so far, 2,830 kg of khoya was destroyed on September 4, followed by 610 kg on September 8 and 520 kg on October 23.

Subsequently, on November 3, the department destroyed approximately 7,000 kg of unhygienic and foul-smelling khoya during its operation at Khoya Mandi in Mori Gate. With this latest action, the total quantity of khoya destroyed by the department has reached 10,660 kg.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar