States » NorthPosted at: Nov 4 2026 4:38PM


Punjab Food Department seizes 11 tonnes of suspected unsafe food, destroys 5 tonnes of adulterated products

Chandigarh, Nov 4 (UNI) Punjab's Food Safety Department seized more than 11 tonnes of suspected unsafe food products and destroyed nearly five tonnes of adulterated dairy products and sweets during a month-long crackdown across the state, Health Minister Balbir Singh said on Wednesday.
The department also found that 218 of the 437 milk and dairy product samples tested during targeted inspections failed to meet prescribed food safety standards, including 51 declared unsafe, raising concerns over the quality of food products being sold during the festive season.
Singh said enforcement teams had intensified inspections across all 23 districts, targeting dairy units, sweet shops, food manufacturing facilities, wholesale markets, restaurants and retail establishments.
"Festivals are a time of joy and celebration, and ensuring unadulterated, nutritious food for every household is our foremost priority," Singh said.
"Anyone indulging in adulteration, spurious manufacturing, or substandard food supply will face stringent legal action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006," he warned.
The minister said more than 1,950 food samples had been collected across Punjab for laboratory examination during the statewide enforcement campaign.
The inspections focused on products witnessing increased demand during the festive season, including desi ghee, milk, paneer, khoa, traditional sweets, edible oils, vanaspati and spices.
During coordinated raids, enforcement teams seized more than 11 tonnes of suspected unsafe food products, including ghee, paneer, khoa, sweets and edible oils.
Separately, approximately five tonnes of adulterated milk products and sweets found unfit for human consumption were destroyed in accordance with statutory procedures, preventing their sale to consumers, Singh said.
The minister said legal proceedings had been initiated against food business operators found violating prescribed safety standards.
He said the government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, had adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards food adulteration and would take strict action against those compromising public health for commercial gains.
The enforcement campaign was launched on the directions of the health minister and Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Kumar Rahul.
Punjab Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Kanwal Preet Brar said food safety officers had been instructed to maintain strict surveillance over manufacturing, storage and distribution facilities.
She said suspected food products were being sent to the State Food and Drug Laboratory at Kharar for expedited testing.
Brar said inspections were also examining personal hygiene, sanitation in kitchens, the quality of raw ingredients and compliance with prescribed storage conditions.
She urged food business operators, confectioners and sweet manufacturers to maintain food safety standards during the festive rush.
The commissioner also appealed to consumers to remain vigilant, report suspected adulteration and purchase food products only from registered or licensed establishments.
The department said the enforcement drive was aimed at preventing unsafe food products from reaching consumers and ensuring compliance with food safety regulations throughout the state.
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