Lucknow, October 10 (Daily Kiran) : The Uttar Pradesh Food Safety and Drug Administration (UPFSDA) has intensified enforcement actions across the state to ensure that safe, pure, and quality food is available to the public during the upcoming Navratri festival. Under the campaign titled “Purity is Prosperity,” authorities conducted thorough inspections of food production, storage, and sales establishments until late on October 9.
During the operation, officials seized a staggering 20,924 kilograms of food items, valued at approximately ₹6.68 million. In addition, 176 food samples were collected for testing. Authorities destroyed 4,273 kilograms of food deemed unfit for human consumption, with an estimated value of ₹63,900. The process to suspend the licenses of two food business operators is currently underway, while legal actions are being initiated against one establishment operating without a license.
Furthermore, around 58 corrective notices were issued to various food establishments. The inspections focused particularly on the quality and purity of ghee, cooking oils, and other food products commonly used during Navratri. Where violations of food safety regulations were found, the UPFSDA seized products, collected samples, and initiated legal proceedings against the respective establishments.
In Bareilly, authorities confiscated 3,281 kilograms of ghee from three establishments, valued at ₹2.12 million. This included 2,280 kilograms from VK Show for ₹1.45 million, 319 kilograms from Ajay Kumar Gupta for ₹219,800, and 682 kilograms from Bharat Ghee for ₹450,120. In Etah, Sri Baba Dairy was found with 2,544 kilograms of ghee and butter, valued at ₹1.72 million.
In Badaun, 538 kilograms of ghee were seized from Babu Ram Ramesh Chandra’s establishment, valued at ₹363,150. In the capital city of Lucknow, Bhairav Ghee Bhandar was found in violation, leading to the seizure of 748 kilograms of ghee worth ₹422,629. Other establishments were also inspected for kuttu flour and other food items, with a total of 573 kilograms confiscated, valued at ₹88,260.
In Gautam Buddh Nagar (Noida), officials seized 3,559 kilograms of ground spices containing coriander stalks, color, and husk, estimated to be worth around ₹700,000. The establishment’s license is being suspended, and an FIR is being filed against it.
In Ghaziabad, 2,848 kilograms of sago were seized due to misbranding, valued at ₹135,564. Additionally, 75 kilograms of Dairy Craft brand ghee and 76 kilograms of kuttu flour were confiscated. Samples of ghee were also taken from Metro Cash and Carry India Private Limited.
In Saharanpur, approximately 6,000 kilograms of turmeric were seized due to unsanitary conditions, valued at ₹683,772. The operation also uncovered 298 kilograms of questionable kuttu flour, valued at ₹17,284. In Kanpur, 390 kilograms of various food products were seized, valued at ₹81,300.
The UPFSDA Commissioner, Dr. Roshan Jacob, has instructed enforcement teams to ensure that small vendors and retailers are not subjected to unnecessary harassment during inspections. The campaign aims to take effective action against businesses involved in serious violations, adulteration, and the sale of counterfeit food products while maintaining fairness and transparency in the enforcement process.
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