Festive season crackdown in Haryana: 50,000kg adulterated sweets, paneer destroyed
Chandigarh: Haryana ’s food safety authorities have destroyed around 50,000kg of adulterated sweets and fake paneer during a statewide crackdown ahead of Diwali , while 170 food samples have failed laboratory tests, including 30 declared unsafe for human consumption.
Health minister Arti Singh Rao on Monday said the govt would not compromise on public health and had directed the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to intensify inspections and take strict action against those involved in food adulteration .
The special drive, launched on Oct 1, has resulted in the collection of 1,288 samples of sweets, khoya, milk, paneer and other food products across Haryana. Of these, 861 have been tested, with 170 failing laboratory tests. These include 140 samples found substandard and 30 declared unsafe for consumption. Reports on the remaining 427 samples are awaited.
The minister said joint teams of food safety officials and police were conducting raids across districts. Vehicles carrying food products were also being checked at state borders and on major routes, with particular surveillance on the use of prohibited colours in sweets.
The department is uploading the names and addresses of shopkeepers and vendors whose samples have failed tests on the official FDA Haryana portal to alert consumers.
The govt has also directed strict enforcement of the ban on the manufacture and sale of analogue paneer. Sweet shops, restaurants and manufacturers have been asked to clearly disclose whether sweets are prepared using desi ghee or edible oil, including on packaging boxes.
To speed up enforcement, food analysis laboratories in Karnal and Chandigarh have been directed to submit priority sample reports within 48 hours. Five mobile food testing laboratories have also been deployed for on-the-spot testing.
Health minister Arti Singh Rao on Monday said the govt would not compromise on public health and had directed the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to intensify inspections and take strict action against those involved in food adulteration .
The special drive, launched on Oct 1, has resulted in the collection of 1,288 samples of sweets, khoya, milk, paneer and other food products across Haryana. Of these, 861 have been tested, with 170 failing laboratory tests. These include 140 samples found substandard and 30 declared unsafe for consumption. Reports on the remaining 427 samples are awaited.
The minister said joint teams of food safety officials and police were conducting raids across districts. Vehicles carrying food products were also being checked at state borders and on major routes, with particular surveillance on the use of prohibited colours in sweets.
The department is uploading the names and addresses of shopkeepers and vendors whose samples have failed tests on the official FDA Haryana portal to alert consumers.
The govt has also directed strict enforcement of the ban on the manufacture and sale of analogue paneer. Sweet shops, restaurants and manufacturers have been asked to clearly disclose whether sweets are prepared using desi ghee or edible oil, including on packaging boxes.
To speed up enforcement, food analysis laboratories in Karnal and Chandigarh have been directed to submit priority sample reports within 48 hours. Five mobile food testing laboratories have also been deployed for on-the-spot testing.
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