The Food Safety and Drug Administration Department of Uttarakhand has launched an intensive campaign to curb food adulteration ahead of the Holi festival. Special attention is being given to inspecting products like milk, mawa, paneer, sweets, and khoya. Districts like Dehradun, Haridwar, and Udham Singh Nagar, identified as most vulnerable to adulteration, are under strict surveillance. On-the-spot sample testing has been mandated at border checkpoints to detect adulterated food promptly.
SOP for Stringent Action
Food Safety Commissioner Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar has issued a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for tackling adulteration. Under this SOP, offenders may face penalties of up to ₹5 lakh and imprisonment for up to six years if found guilty of food adulteration. District magistrates, food officers, and inspectors have been instructed to conduct regular sampling and testing, with strict legal action against offenders.
High Vigilance in Sensitive Districts
The state’s districts have been classified into three categories for focused monitoring:
- Category 1: Udham Singh Nagar, Nainital, Haridwar, Dehradun, Tehri, and Pauri are under heightened surveillance with mobile food labs conducting inspections.
- Category 2: Districts like Champawat, Bageshwar, and Almora are also seeing increased sample collection.
- Category 3: In hilly districts like Uttarkashi, Pithoragarh, and Chamoli, special vigilance is maintained.
Additional Commissioner Tajbar Singh Jaggi stated that the department is employing decoy operations, enforcement drives, and surveillance to catch offenders. Any suspicious activities reported will be promptly acted upon.
Border Monitoring with On-Spot Testing
Milk and dairy products entering the state are under strict inspection. Border points like Asharodi in Dehradun, along with Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar, have deployed mobile testing units for immediate adulteration detection.
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Vigilance Teams in Action
Joint teams have been formed for surprise inspections at establishments. A dedicated vigilance cell has also been established to ensure swift response to complaints. Continuous monitoring by surveillance teams is in place. Notably, Udham Singh Nagar and Haridwar are witnessing the highest number of sample collections due to frequent adulteration complaints.
Ensuring Safe Food for Holi
With the heightened scrutiny, the Food Safety Department aims to ensure pure and safe food for consumers during Holi. Unlicensed food producers will face legal consequences, and all samples will undergo priority testing. The department remains committed to eliminating adulteration and safeguarding public health.
