2,800 kg of unsafe food destroyed in Delhi markets

Delhi’s Food Safety Department launched an intensified inspection campaign across major food markets as the festive season nears, resulting in the disposal of over 2,800 kilograms of unsafe and discarded food items. The initiative was initiated in response to directives from Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh, who emphasized that increased festive activity should not compromise food safety standards.

The department targeted markets like Khoya Mandi, Mori Gate, Bagh Deewar, Sanjay Market, and Janakpuri Mandi, with a focus on detecting adulteration, inadequate storage, and subpar product quality. Inspectors discovered approximately 2,830 kilograms of abandoned khoya, dhaap, and butter in unsanitary conditions at these locations. These products exhibited foul odors and signs of spoilage.

Despite public announcements encouraging sellers to reclaim their items, no one came forward, and the entire stock was ultimately seized and disposed of at the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) landfill in Majnu Ka Tila, in line with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Lab tests also raised concerns about product quality. Out of ten khoya and cream samples analyzed from Mori Gate, all were deemed non-conforming. Moreover, four enforcement samples from Bagh Deewar-Sanjay Market and four samples, including two paneer and two khoya, from Janakpuri Mandi tested using the Food Safety Wheel (FSW) showed non-compliance. However, two FSW-tested samples met the required standards.

Checks at Janakpuri Mandi uncovered additional issues, with 10 food business premises inspected and 10 enforcement samples of paneer collected, along with 28 surveillance samples subjected to spot analysis. Alarmingly, four samples tested positive for detergent. As a precautionary step, around 150 kilograms of paneer and 10 kilograms of khoya were destroyed.

Health Minister Singh has directed the Food Safety Department to heighten surveillance and conduct thorough inspections throughout the festive season. The department stressed that consumer safety is its top priority and instructed officials to promptly and strictly address any detection of adulterated or unsafe food. With the demand for sweets, dairy products, and other festive foods anticipated to surge, authorities urged consumers and food businesses to exercise caution, ensuring only safe and compliant products reach the market.