New Delhi, 23 September (H.S.): The Delhi government’s Food Safety Department has seized and destroyed more than 4,100 kilograms of suspected adulterated and unsafe khoa and paneer as part of an intensified enforcement drive against food adulteration across the national capital.

The action has been carried out under the directions of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who said on Wednesday that the department was conducting inspections in different parts of Delhi to ensure the availability of safe food during the festive season.

Gupta said the demand for sweets and dairy products rises significantly during festivals and warned that strict action would be taken against those found compromising public health through food adulteration.

She said food adulteration would not be tolerated and that violations of food safety regulations would invite stringent action under the law. The Chief Minister added that enforcement measures would continue throughout the festive season to protect consumers and maintain food safety standards.

Over the past month, the Food Safety Department has conducted regular inspections at major markets and food-selling points across Delhi. Khoa, paneer, chhena and ghee were inspected at locations including Okhla Sabzi Mandi, Mori Gate Khoa Mandi, Bagh Diwar, Sanjay Market, Chhoti Sabzi Mandi in Janakpuri, Mochi Market in Shahdara, Ghazipur and Jhiel. The department has also carried out online inspections.

During these inspections, food business operators were instructed to strictly maintain prescribed hygiene standards and sell only genuine food products that comply with regulatory requirements.

The department continued its enforcement activities on Wednesday, conducting inspections at several locations, including Khari Baoli, Okhla Sabzi Mandi, the Jhiel area of East Delhi and the Janakpuri market in West Delhi.

As part of the ongoing action, more than 4,100 kilograms of khoa and paneer were found to be suspected of adulteration and were subsequently destroyed during enforcement operations.

During an inspection at Mori Gate Khoa Mandi, officials collected 30 samples of khoa. Of these, 22 were found to be unsafe for human consumption and failed to meet the prescribed standards.

The department has also received laboratory reports for 19 samples of paneer and chhena. Only seven samples were found to conform to the prescribed standards, while 12 failed to meet the required specifications.

Following the detection of violations, the department has initiated prosecution proceedings against the concerned food business operators under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

The department said enforcement action against food businesses found violating food safety regulations would continue in accordance with the law throughout the festive season.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar