Haridwar: Ahead of the Char Dham pilgrimage, the Food Safety Department conducted inspections of hotels, roadside eateries, and wholesalers along the Chidiyapur stretch of the route. Several food samples were collected, and notices were issued to operators found violating food safety norms.
During the inspection drive, officials took serious note of complaints regarding the ‘Shahi Jeera’ drink being sold without proper labeling. The department found that bottles did not carry expiry dates, prompting immediate action. Authorities have ordered the manufacturer to recall the product from the market and submit a compliance report.
The inspection team, led by Senior Food Safety Officer Dilip Jain, checked nine hotels, dhabas, and one wholesaler in the Chidiyapur area. At one establishment, Aswal Green Valley, the operator was served an on-the-spot notice for not displaying a valid food license and was directed to comply within two days.
Officials also collected samples of cold drinks, including the ‘Shahi Jeera’ beverage, for laboratory testing. The manufacturer was issued a notice for failing to mention expiry details on the bottles and for not including the food license number on sales invoices. Wholesalers have been instructed to stop selling the product immediately.
Additionally, the manufacturer of Diet Coke has been asked to provide documents verifying its “no sugar, no calories” claim.
District Food Safety Officer Mahimanand Joshi confirmed that samples of milk and khoya were also collected from the municipal area for testing. Meanwhile, another inspection team examined hotels and eateries from Roorkee’s Core College to Narsan border, collecting samples of pulses, packaged drinking water, mayonnaise, and gram flour.
The department has intensified checks along the pilgrimage route to ensure food safety and prevent the sale of substandard or mislabeled products to pilgrims.
