NEW DELHI: More than 4,000 kg of food products, including khoya, paneer and sweets, have been destroyed during enforcement drives by the Delhi Food Safety Department over the past two months.Of the 290 samples tested during this period, 85 were found to be unsafe or below prescribed standards, officials said on Friday.According to an official statement, the department carried out 30 enforcement actions, stepping up inspections and sampling during Navratri and the festive season amid rising demand for dairy products, sweets and other food items.The crackdown primarily targeted ghee, paneer, khoya and sweets, with repeated inspections carried out in vulnerable areas and wholesale markets, including Mori Gate Khoya Mandi, Okhla and Janakpuri.During a recent raid on unlicensed sweet-manufacturing units in Nihal Vihar, officials identified 12 premises and destroyed 400 kg of sweets. They also collected 14 samples for testing.The department also inspected restaurants, institutional clubs, banquet halls, retail outlets and food manufacturing units. Its checks extended to e-commerce dark stores linked to platforms such as Swiggy, Zomato, Blinkit, Amazon and Reliance.Wholesalers selling food products through YouTube and Instagram were also brought under surveillance. Inspections were conducted at hospital kitchens to evaluate food safety and hygiene practices.During Navratri, special checks were carried out on products consumed while fasting, including kuttu atta, samak rice, singhara atta and sabudana. The department also took action on complaints received through CM Jansunwai and other public grievance channels.In a separate drive, officials inspected seven bakery manufacturing and retail premises and collected 10 food samples. Following hygiene and compliance assessments, improvement notices were recommended for two establishments.Health minister Pankaj Kumar Singh said the department had been instructed to maintain strict vigilance across the food supply chain, covering manufacturing units, wholesale markets, retail outlets, restaurants and online platforms.“Food safety is a public health priority, and there will be no compromise on the quality and safety of food consumed by Delhi’s residents,” he said.The minister said inspections and sampling would continue, particularly during the festive and wedding seasons, to ensure accountability among food business operators and protect consumers from unsafe food.The department has urged food business operators to adhere to prescribed hygiene standards and comply with food safety regulations.(With inputs from PTI)
