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.
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. 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, according to an official statement. In a separate drive, officials inspected seven bakery manufacturing and retail premises and collected 10 food samples.
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 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. Following hygiene and compliance assessments, improvement notices were recommended for two establishments.