508 kg spurious paneer destroyed at Okhla Mandi
The Delhi government’s Food Safety Department has stepped up inspections across the national capital ahead of the festive season, destroying around 508 kg of spurious paneer found at the Okhla sabzi mandi. Authorities took action as they intensify inspections across the capital ahead of the festive season, including Raksha Bandhan. Necessary legal action has been initiated under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and applicable rules following the seizure and destruction of the adulterated paneer.
Over the past two days, the department has lifted 22 enforcement samples of various food articles from different districts across Delhi. These samples have been sent to designated laboratories for detailed analysis, with further action to be taken based on the test reports in accordance with food safety regulations.
Health Minister Dr Pankaj Kumar Singh said food safety remained a priority for the Delhi government, particularly during the festive season when demand for milk products, paneer, sweets, edible oils and other food items rises significantly. “Festivals are a time of happiness and celebration, and every family has the right to enjoy festive food without worrying about its safety. The Delhi Government will take strict action against those who compromise food quality or put citizens’ health at risk. Our enforcement teams are working proactively across the city to prevent the sale of adulterated and substandard food items,” Singh said.
The minister said each district has been provided with dedicated teams for regular inspection, sampling and monitoring of food establishments, markets and supply points. These teams have been instructed to remain vigilant and take necessary enforcement action wherever violations are detected.
With Raksha Bandhan and other upcoming festivals expected to drive up demand for food products, particularly paneer, milk products and sweets, the department said it was maintaining heightened surveillance across the city. Similar enforcement and sampling drives are expected to continue in the coming days to ensure compliance with food safety standards.
Singh said the objective of the campaign extended beyond taking action against violations, aiming also to ensure preventive monitoring throughout the food supply chain to protect consumers and maintain public confidence in the quality and safety of food available in Delhi.
The Delhi government reiterated that strict action would be taken against individuals, manufacturers, suppliers or establishments found involved in the manufacture, storage, distribution or sale of unsafe, adulterated or substandard food items. The Food Safety Department said it would continue coordinated inspections and laboratory-based testing across all districts in the interest of public health.
The enforcement drive at Okhla Sabzi Mandi represents one of the department’s larger seizures this festive season, with officials indicating that similar operations are being carried out simultaneously across other markets and food supply points in the city.
Officials said the timing of the intensified drive was deliberate, aimed at curbing the circulation of adulterated food products during a period when consumption of dairy-based items and sweets typically peaks due to festival-related demand. The department’s enforcement teams are expected to continue targeting wholesale markets, retail outlets and manufacturing units over the coming weeks as part of the broader festive season monitoring exercise, with test results from the 22 samples collected so far expected to guide further legal action against any establishments found in violation of food safety norms.
