CHANDIGARH: Haryana’s food safety authorities have destroyed around 50,000 kg of adulterated sweets and fake paneer during a statewide crackdown ahead of Diwali. Meanwhile, 170 food samples have failed laboratory tests, including 30 that were declared unsafe for human consumption.Health Minister Arti Singh Rao said on Monday that the state government would not compromise on public health. She said she had directed the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to intensify inspections and take strict action against those involved in food adulteration.The special inspection drive, launched on October 1, has so far resulted in the collection of 1,288 samples of sweets, khoya, milk, paneer and other food products across Haryana. Of the 861 samples tested, 140 were found to be substandard, while 30 failed safety standards and were declared unsafe for consumption.The minister said joint teams of food safety officials and police were conducting raids across districts. Vehicles carrying food products were also being checked at state borders and along major routes, with particular attention being paid to the use of prohibited colours in sweets.The department is uploading the names and addresses of shopkeepers and vendors whose samples have failed laboratory tests on the official FDA Haryana portal to alert consumers.The government has also directed strict enforcement of the ban on the manufacture and sale of analogue paneer. Sweet shops, restaurants and manufacturers have been asked to clearly state whether their sweets are made using desi ghee or edible oil, including on packaging.To speed up enforcement, food analysis laboratories in Karnal and Chandigarh have been directed to submit reports on priority samples within 48 hours. Five mobile food testing laboratories have also been deployed for on-the-spot testing.Rao appealed to consumers to report suspected cases of food adulteration through the FoSCoS portal or the designated email address of FDA Haryana.
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