The Delhi Government has launched a major food safety crackdown across the city. The move is aimed at ensuring the safety and hygiene of food items sold during the ongoing festive season.
Health Minister Dr Pankaj Kumar Singh chaired a high-level meeting with officials from the Food Safety Department on Monday.
He issued strong directives for intensive inspections throughout Delhi. The core focus is to protect public health during the festive rush.
As part of the drive, the department has already started collecting food samples. Officials have so far collected 20 samples of various food items.
These prominently include high-demand festival products like paneer (cottage cheese), khoya (reduced milk solids), and assorted spices.
Additionally, 139 samples of raw non-vegetarian items have also been collected for rigorous testing.
The department confirmed that all consumable products are under strict checking and monitoring.
This is to safeguard against adulteration or contamination. Dr Singh stressed the Government’s unwavering commitment to consumer safety.
“The Delhi Gover-nment is fully committed to ensuring that every citizen consumes safe, hygienic, and quality food, especially during the festive season,” he stated. He warned of strict action against any lapses. “Any negligence in food safety will be dealt with strictly and without exception,” Dr Singh added.
The minister also directed officials to expand the inspection scope. He specifically instructed thorough checks on all packaged drinking water brands.
This is due to the wide variety of products available in the market. Dr Singh emphasised that every brand must adhere strictly to standard safety and quality protocols.
A significant new directive targets large sweet shop chains. Dr Singh has asked the department to inspect all outlets of a sweet shop operating under the same brand name.
The aim is to verify if they meet food safety norms and maintain uniform standards across all their locations.
This move ensures that brand reputation is backed by actual, consistent hygiene practices. The Food Safety Department has assured intensive ground-level inspection efforts. They also highlighted the crucial cooperation they are receiving.
The Delhi Police is promptly responding to calls for joint inspections and enforcement. This police support is crucial for effective on-the-ground action.
The intensified drive comes as Delhi gears up for major festivals, which historically see a surge in the demand for sweets, dairy products, and other.
