UP Government Seizes Rs 4.76 Crore Worth of Adulterated Food Items in Massive Pre-Diwali Crackdown

The department has urged public to report adulterated food products (Representational)

Lucknow:

In preparation for Diwali, the Uttar Pradesh government has launched an aggressive campaign against food adulteration, confiscating over 3,394 quintals of adulterated food items valued at Rs 4.76 crore across the state during a special operation, according to officials.

The Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) implemented a "Deepawali Special Campaign" running from October 8 to 17, conducting 5,464 inspections and 2,448 raids through Thursday. During these operations, authorities collected 3,369 samples for laboratory testing, as stated by the department.

Food Safety Commissioner Roshan Jacob emphasized that the initiative has achieved notable success in combating food adulteration. "We will take stringent action against those compromising public health during the Diwali and Chhath festive seasons," she declared.

In Mathura on Thursday, authorities filed four FIRs and suspended six dairy licenses after discovering adulteration in milk products.

Aligarh officials destroyed 19,500 kg of adulterated food items worth Rs 17.37 lakh, while seizing an additional 4,188 kg valued at Rs 23.55 lakh.

Other districts reported similar enforcement activities: Budaun authorities seized 2,100 kg of chhena sweets and 960 kg of paneer, Ghazipur confiscated 1,439 kg of adulterated ghee, Bulandshahr seized 1,325 kg of paneer, Prayagraj recovered 5,295 kg of adulterated edible oil, Sambhal authorities found 2,500 liters of milk, Saharanpur confiscated 1,060 kg of sweets, and Kanpur Nagar seized 550 kg of adulterated khoya.

Commissioner Jacob announced that major dairy operations and factories in regions including Agra's Gabana and Khair, as well as Mathura's Bajna area—which supply milk and paneer to Delhi-NCR—will be the primary targets of the crackdown.

"We will take action against mafia elements and organized adulteration networks," she added.

The department encourages citizens to report suspicious or adulterated food products by calling the helpline at 1800-180-5533 or sending information via WhatsApp to 9793429747.