Haridwar: The Food Safety Department has stepped up inspections of sweet shops and manufacturing units in Laksar and Sultanpur ahead of the festive season, when demand for sweets typically rises. During a drive on Monday, officials found several violations, issued notices to shop operators and destroyed five kilograms of spoiled sweets at one outlet.
The inspection team was led by Senior Food Safety Officers Dilip Jain and Yogendra Pandey. During checks at a sweet manufacturing unit in Laksar, officials found unhygienic conditions. They also found that sweets kept in the open did not display their manufacturing and expiry dates.
At another shop in Laksar, the required information related to sweets was not displayed. Notices were issued to the operators of both establishments over the violations.
The team also inspected a sweet manufacturing unit in Sultanpur, where manufacturing and expiry dates were missing from tin containers used for sweets. The operator was directed to comply with food safety standards and complete the required licensing formalities.
Officials collected 78 samples of various food products, including sweets, spices, oil, milk and ghee, for testing. Of these, 13 products were found not to conform to the prescribed standards during inspection. The concerned products were removed from the premises.
The department has intensified checks during the festive season to monitor food quality and hygiene at shops and manufacturing units. The action is aimed at identifying food safety violations and ensuring that businesses comply with the required standards.
Officials have advised food business operators to maintain hygiene, display mandatory product information and ensure that licensing requirements are fulfilled. Further action may be taken against establishments found violating food safety rules.
The department’s inspections are continuing as part of its efforts to prevent the sale of substandard and unsafe food products during the festive period.
