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Delhi Cracks Down on Festive Food Adulteration Ahead of Holi Celebrations

The Delhi Food Safety Department has initiated a special enforcement drive ahead of Holi to prevent the adulteration of festive foods like sweets, oils, and dairy products. Under instructions from Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh, officials have collected dozens of samples and are conducting inspections at key markets and production units. In a parallel action in Uttar Pradesh, authorities seized thousands of litres of adulterated oil and hundreds of kilograms of coloured waste in Kanpur. Both campaigns involve surprise raids, border checkpoints, and laboratory testing with stern warnings to vendors.

Key Points: Delhi, UP Launch Holi Food Safety Campaigns Against Adulteration

  • Special enforcement campaign launched in Delhi
  • 66 food samples collected for testing
  • Over 13,000 litres of adulterated oil seized in UP
  • Focus on khoya, paneer, and festive sweets
  • Checkpoints at Delhi borders to intercept goods
2 min read

Delhi: Food Safety Department launches campaign to curb adulteration ahead of Holi

Delhi and UP food safety departments launch major pre-Holi crackdowns, seizing adulterated oil, sweets, and spices to protect public health.

"The sale of adulterated food or sweets will not be tolerated. - Delhi Government"

New Delhi, February 26

The Food Safety Department in Delhi has launched a special enforcement campaign ahead of the Holi festivities to curb adulteration of various foodstuffs and prevent consumption by the public. The department's focus is broad, spanning multiple categories including pulses, grains, spices, oils, and dairy products, with a heightened emphasis on items traditionally consumed during Holi.

Under the direct instructions of Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh, the proactive initiative aims to curb food adulteration during the high-demand festive season.

As part of this drive, officials have already collected 66 food samples, consisting of 54 surveillance samples for monitoring and 12 legal samples for potential prosecution.

To tighten the net on substandard goods, the department is conducting specialised inspections at major khoya and paneer mandis, which serve as central hubs for festive sweets.

Beyond the markets, authorities are monitoring production units operating in residential areas and have established strict checkpoints at Delhi's borders to intercept adulterated goods entering the city.

To maintain the momentum of this crackdown, food safety teams will remain active through the weekends. The government has issued a clear and stern warning to vendors and manufacturers that the sale of adulterated food or sweets will not be tolerated.

Separately, the Uttar Pradesh Food Safety and Drug Administration (UPFSDA), in collaboration with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), launched an intensive crackdown on food adulteration in Kanpur.

This campaign, launched at food outlets across the city as the festival season approaches, resulted in the seizure of more than 13 thousand litres of adulterated oil and over 1,000 KG of coloured waste.

The operation resulted in the seizure of 13,972 litres of adulterated oil and 1,350 kg of coloured waste. Additionally, officials raided a fake ghee manufacturing unit in Kalyanpur, and goods valued at ₹5.45 lakh were seized. All seized samples have been sent to a laboratory for further analysis, according to an official statement.

Earlier, FSDA also conducted rapid raids in Lucknow during Ramadan and Holi. The campaign includes surprise inspections of cold storage facilities and dairies. During the raid, 1,320 kg of dates were seized. Along with that, 1,418 kg of coloured Kachri was also seized.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good step, but will it be effective? These drives happen every year, yet adulteration continues. The real test is consistent enforcement and strict punishment. Seizing goods is one thing, but how many prosecutions actually happen? Need to name and shame these unethical vendors.
A
Aman W
The numbers from UP are shocking! 13,000+ litres of bad oil? This is playing with people's health. We celebrate festivals with joy, and these criminals spoil it. Border checkpoints in Delhi are a smart move to stop the flow from outside.
S
Sarah B
As someone who recently moved to Delhi, I find this very reassuring. Food safety is a major concern. I appreciate that they are checking residential production units too. Often the problem starts in small, hidden places. Stay safe everyone, and Happy Holi in advance!
V
Vikram M
While I support the drive, I hope it doesn't become a tool for harassment of small, honest sweet shop owners. The focus should be on the big suppliers and manufacturers. Also, public awareness is key - teach people how to identify adulterated khoya or milk at home.
N
Nisha Z
Coloured waste being mixed in? That's horrifying! This is why my family has shifted to making most sweets at home for Holi. It's more work, but at least we know what's in it. Government should run ads showing the dangers of adulterated festive food.

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