Lucknow: Under the ‘Shuddh Hi Shubh Hai’ campaign ahead of Diwali, UP Food Safety and Drug Administration inspected 86 mithai and namkeen establishments in Varanasi, Agra and Lucknow, suspending licences of four establishments and closing one shop in Lucknow. Improvement notices were issued to 71 establishments.FSDA inspections were based on regulatory guidelines, like cleanliness of manufacturing premises, quality and safe handling of ingredients, milk and dairy products, use of food colours and additives, pest control, drinking water, personal hygiene of workers, licences, records and compliance with packaging rules.In Varanasi, 30 establishments manufacturing and selling sweets and namkeen were inspected and improvement notices were served on 28. The licence of one sweet shop was suspended for shortcomings such as waterlogging, no waste management, irregularities in storage of edible and non-edible items, and no pest control and water quality.Teams checked 27 establishments in Agra and flagged serious objections at three units. FSDA issued improvement notices to 19 establishments.At three units where major problems were detected, officials found waterlogging, no proper waste management arrangement, dirty utensils, unhygienic conditions, poor-quality packing material, etc. In one sweet shop, borax powder was found, which, FSDA said, was suspected to be mixed with milk to extend its shelf life.In Lucknow, 29 establishments were inspected and 24 improvement notices were issued. During inspection, dirt, cobwebs on the walls, disorder in the food premises, and lapses in the personal hygiene of food handlers were found at one sweet shop, which was then shut down.
