Crackdown on adulterated food across state ahead of Diwali

Lucknow: Acting on the CM's directives, the food safety and drug administration (FSDA) is conducting a special Diwali campaign from Oct 8 to Oct 17 across Uttar Pradesh.

The FSDA has conducted 4,621 inspections, 2,085 raids and tested 2,853 food samples, resulting in seizure of 2,993 quintals of adulterated food , valued at Rs 3.88 crore. Of these, 1,155 quintals food, worth Rs 1.75 crore, was destroyed for being unfit for consumption.

The campaign also led to the registration of three FIRs in Unnao, Mathura and Lucknow. Roshan Jacob, secretary, FSDA, said the campaign underscores govt's commitment to safe festivals. "Perishable items are seized and destroyed on the spot to protect public health. There will be no compromise on citizens' safety," Jacob added.

Under the special Diwali campaign, 215 kg khoya was seized and destroyed in Unnao, while an FIR was lodged and samples collected. In Mathura, 400 kg of adulterated paneer was destroyed, while in Lucknow, 802 kg khoya was destroyed. Jhansi saw 1,200 kg of khoya seized and in Hathras, 790 kg of adulterated pickles were seized and 3,000 kg of spoiled pickles destroyed.

Similarly, Bulandshahr witnessed the seizure of 3,000 kg of adulterated rasgulla and gulab jamun and 1,478 kg of adulterated khoya was seized in Mirzapur. In Saharanpur, 1,100 kg khoya was destroyed, while Hapur saw the seizure of 6,000 litres of refined soybean oil.

In Kanpur Dehat, 500 litres milk, 400 kg khoya, 2,200 kg barfi, 250 kg peda and 358 kg of sweet cakes were destroyed. Gorakhpur authorities seized 1,400 kg paneer and khoya and destroyed 1,000 litres of spoiled mustard oil. In Meerut, 71 litres of palmolein oil and 20 kg skimmed milk powder were seized, while 35 kg rasgulla, 180 kg paneer and 2,500 kg khoya were destroyed. In Etah, 340 litres of mustard oil and 900 kg ghee were destroyed and in Kheri, 871 kg of food items were seized, with 50 kg destroyed. Large quantities of adulterated items were destroyed in Agra, Aligarh, Ghaziabad and Muzaffarnagar.

The campaign extended to toll plazas and highways, resulting in significant seizures. At the Sahibabad toll, 750 kg paneer was seized and at Hapur toll in Chijarsi, 1,500 kg paneer was confiscated. On NH 34, GT Road in Kanpur, 4,040 kg khoya was seized, while 910 cartons of adulterated sweets were confiscated at Barabanki toll. Additionally, 2,450 kg khoya was destroyed on Panki Road, Kanpur.

Govt releases phone nos. for lodging complaints

The state govt has appealed to citizens to report any adulteration, production or sale of counterfeit products or organised adulteration operations. Confidential reports can be submitted to the FSDA via a special helpline or WhatsApp numbers: Toll-free number: 1800-180-5533; WhatsApp for adulterated food: 9793429747; WhatsApp for fake medicines: 8756128434.The govt assured that all complaints will remain confidential.