The Delhi Food Safety Department destroyed more than 900 kg of sweets and related food items during a weekend inspection drive aimed at curbing the sale of adulterated or spoiled products ahead of the city’s festive season. On Saturday, teams inspected 13 premises in the Nihal Vihar area of West Delhi, including unlicensed rasgulla‑making units, other sweet manufacturers and sweet shops. A total of 402 kg of food items was seized and destroyed, comprising 265 kg of rasgullas, 45 kg of chhena, 80 kg of milk cake and 12 kg of grated coconut. Samples of chhena, milk cake, rasgullas, motichoor ladoos, flour laddoos, rasbhari and paneer were collected for laboratory testing. In a separate operation at the Mori Gate Khoya Mandi in Kashmere Gate, officials destroyed approximately 520 kg of dairy items used in sweet making, including 370 kg of khoya and 150 kg of chhena. The products were found abandoned, spoiled and emitting a foul smell. The department had previously conducted a raid at the same market on 4 September, during Janmashtami, when it destroyed 3,050 kg of khoya and paneer. The inspections were carried out as surprise drives on a holiday to prevent establishments from receiving advance notice. The Food Safety Department had faced difficulties locating sweet‑making units during an earlier operation on 26 August, when only three premises were identified. The recent drive deployed teams simultaneously across different lanes to improve coverage. A government statement said that food samples from both locations would be tested in laboratories, and further action would be taken under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, based on the inspection findings and test reports. The office of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta directed the department to continue surprise inspections, regular monitoring and sample testing, and to take strict action against those found violating food‑safety norms. Officials said enforcement would continue throughout the festive season to ensure that adulterated, spoiled or unhygienically prepared food items do not reach consumers.
Article source: Indian Express | Image credit: Indian Express