1 week ago
Uttar Pradesh Cracks Down on Adulterated Dairy Before Raksha Bandhan
Food safety officials in Uttar Pradesh are checking dairy products before the Raksha Bandhan festival.
They are especially looking at khoya, paneer, ghee and other commonly eaten foods.
Officials say some producers may be mixing in substances such as detergent, refined oil, talcum powder or hydrogen peroxide.
These substances may change how the food looks or feels.
Teams visited factories, storage places and markets in several districts.
In Kanpur, they collected samples and destroyed products that were suspected to be unsafe or stored in dirty conditions.
Police cases and action against some food businesses have begun.
If laboratory tests confirm harmful chemicals or foreign fats, officials can stop production and suspend licences.
They may also stop a brand from selling its products anywhere in Uttar Pradesh.
Uttar Pradesh authorities launched a dairy-adulteration crackdown ahead of Raksha Bandhan, when demand for khoya, paneer, ghee, chhena and cream rises.
Inspections identified the alleged use of detergents, refined oils, talcum powder, hydrogen peroxide, foreign fats and other substances in dairy production.
In Kanpur Nagar and Kanpur Dehat, 24 teams collected 28 samples and destroyed food materials and suspected adulterants worth about Rs 1.50 lakh.
Officials destroyed about 4.3 quintals of khoya at Hatiya Khoya Mandi after finding it stored under unhygienic conditions.
Authorities registered an FIR, suspended or began proceedings against food operators, and warned that confirmed violations could lead to licence cancellation, production stoppage or brand sales bans.
- Who
- The Uttar Pradesh Food Safety and Drug Administration and local enforcement teams inspected dairy manufacturers, storage units, markets and food businesses.
- What
- Authorities launched an enforcement drive against allegedly adulterated and unhygienically stored dairy products.
- Where
- The drive covered Uttar Pradesh, including Kanpur Nagar, Kanpur Dehat, Meerut and Baghpat, as well as major Kanpur khoya markets.
- When
- The latest Kanpur inspections took place on Sunday ahead of the Raksha Bandhan festival; the article does not provide a calendar date.
- Why
- Officials said they want to prevent the sale of dairy products containing confirmed harmful chemicals, foreign fats or other adulterants, particularly during the festival season.
Key facts
- Kanpur inspection drive
- Twenty-four teams inspected units in Kanpur Nagar and Kanpur Dehat and collected 28 samples.
- Kanpur destruction
- Food materials and suspected adulterants worth an estimated Rs 1.50 lakh were destroyed.
- Hatiya Khoya Mandi
- Fourteen vendors were inspected, and about 4.3 quintals of khoya worth an estimated Rs 1.07 lakh were destroyed for unhygienic storage.
- Kanpur Dehat findings
- One unit had about 100 kg of prepared khoya, 175 packets of skimmed milk powder and 15 litres of hydrogen peroxide.
- Other district seizures
- Officials reported destroying 2,400 kg of khoya in Meerut and 455 kg of khoya plus 65 kg of paneer in Baghpat.
- Legal action
- An FIR was registered in Kanpur Dehat under Sections 274 and 275 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
- Potential penalties
- Confirmed violations can result in seizure, destruction, production stoppage, licence suspension or a state-wide ban on a brand’s sales, including products made outside Uttar Pradesh but sold there.
Quotes
FSDA official
An official of Uttar Pradesh’s Food Safety and Drug Administration describing the enforcement strategy
“Where violations are established, the department intends to act against the manufacturing units, licensing and those responsible with penal action.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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