Delhi has intensified food safety inspections ahead of the festive season, with enforcement teams inspecting major food markets and destroying more than 2,800 kg of unsafe and abandoned food products.
The drive targeted products including khoya, dhaap, butter and paneer, with officials checking for suspected adulteration, unhygienic storage and other food-safety violations.
The enforcement drive was carried out following directions from Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh, who stressed that the festive rush must not compromise food safety.
Teams inspected markets including:
- Khoya Mandi
- Mori Gate
- Bagh Deewar
- Sanjay Market
- Janakpuri Mandi
The inspections focused on suspected adulteration, storage conditions and the quality of food products being offered to consumers.
At Khoya Mandi, Mori Gate, Bagh Deewar and Sanjay Market, officials found approximately 2,830 kg of unclaimed khoya, dhaap and butter stored in highly unhygienic conditions.
The products reportedly had foul smells and signs of deterioration.
Officials made public announcements asking sellers to come forward and claim the stock. When no one came forward, the entire quantity was confiscated and destroyed at the MCD dumping site at Majnu Ka Tila, in accordance with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Laboratory analysis also identified concerns with some samples collected during the inspections.
All 10 samples of khoya and cream collected from Mori Gate were found to be non-conforming when analysed at the State Laboratory.
Two enforcement samples of khoya were also collected from the Bagh Deewar-Sanjay Market area.
At the same time, four samples comprising two paneer and two khoya samples were tested using the Food Safety Wheel (FSW) and were found to be conforming.
Food safety teams inspected 10 food business premises at Janakpuri Mandi and collected 10 enforcement samples of paneer.
Officials also conducted spot analysis of 28 surveillance samples using the Food Safety Wheel.
According to the department, four samples tested positive for detergent.
As a precautionary measure, authorities destroyed approximately 150 kg of paneer and 10 kg of khoya.
Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh has directed the Food Safety Department to maintain heightened surveillance and continue intensive inspections throughout the festive season.
The department said consumer safety remains a priority and instructed officials to take prompt and stringent action whenever adulterated or unsafe food is detected.
The increased enforcement comes as demand for sweets, dairy products, khoya, paneer and cream typically rises during the festive period.
Authorities have urged consumers and food businesses to remain cautious and ensure that only safe and compliant food products are sold.
Regular inspections are particularly important during periods of increased demand, when the movement and consumption of festive food ingredients rises substantially.
