New Delhi: Amidst the glitter of festivals, those doing the black business of adulteration in sweets are no longer in trouble! On the occasion of Diwali, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta government has opened a front against adulterators. Food Safety Department teams created panic among businessmen by conducting a vigorous inspection campaign on sweet shops, dairies and food manufacturing units in five districts of the capital. During this period, 40 food samples were taken and improvement notices were given to eight establishments.

During the campaign, a serious case of filth and negligence came to light in a dairy located in Mandoli Extension. Here foul smelling khoya, rasgullas and milk contaminated with mosquitoes and flies were found. The departmental team took immediate action and destroyed about 100 kg of food items unfit for human consumption.

Investigation from sweets to ghee

22 samples, including gift packs of khoya, paneer, ghee, kalakand, laddu, gulab jamun and dry fruits, were taken in North-Eastern, Eastern and Shahdara districts. Whereas in South and South-East Delhi, 18 samples were collected after examining 12 establishments. A sweets manufacturing unit in Nihal Vihar was found operating without food safety registration, from where three samples were taken.

Government strict on negligence

Improvement notices have been issued to eight establishments after deficiencies were found in cleanliness standards. Further action will be taken based on the laboratory report of the samples. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta made it clear that playing with people’s health will not be tolerated. He has given instructions for regular investigation and strict action against those who break the rules. The government’s message is clear, the law will tighten its grip on those who add adulteration to the sweetness of festivals.