More than 2,800 kg of unsafe and abandoned food products, including khoya, dhaap and butter, were destroyed in Delhi as the Food Safety Department intensified inspections ahead of the festive season. The checks were conducted across major food markets, including Khoya Mandi, Mori Gate, Bagh Deewar, Sanjay Market and Janakpuri Mandi, following directions from Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh.
Officials said the action was aimed at preventing adulterated or poorly stored food from reaching consumers at a time when demand for dairy products and festive sweets typically rises. “Festive preparations must not come at the cost of food safety. We will ensure that no unsafe or adulterated food reaches the people of Delhi,” Singh said, warning that strict action would be taken against those putting public health at risk.
What The Inspections Found
At Khoya Mandi, Mori Gate, Bagh Deewar and Sanjay Market, officials found around 2,830 kg of unclaimed khoya, dhaap and butter stored in highly unhygienic conditions. The products reportedly had a foul smell and visible signs of deterioration. Food safety teams made public announcements asking sellers to come forward and claim the stock, but no one did. The material was subsequently confiscated and destroyed at the Municipal Corporation of Delhi dumping site at Majnu Ka Tila under provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Laboratory testing also raised concerns: all 10 samples of khoya and cream collected from Mori Gate were found to be non-conforming at the State Laboratory. In Janakpuri Mandi, officials inspected 10 food businesses and collected 10 paneer samples, while 28 surveillance samples were tested on the spot using the Food Safety Wheel. Four samples tested positive for detergent, prompting officials to destroy around 150 kg of paneer and 10 kg of khoya as a precaution.
Why The Checks Matter Before Festivals
The inspections come as Delhi prepares for a period when the demand for sweets, khoya, paneer, cream and other dairy-based ingredients increases sharply. This creates greater pressure on food markets and supply chains, making proper storage, handling and testing particularly important. The Delhi Food Safety Department has been directed to maintain heightened surveillance and continue intensive inspections throughout the festive season. The department has said consumer safety remains a priority and that prompt action will be taken wherever adulterated or unsafe food is detected.
The Delhi action is also part of a wider national focus on food safety. Recent enforcement drives across India have highlighted concerns ranging from adulteration and poor hygiene to misleading labels and unsafe food storage. Government data cited in recent reporting indicates that roughly one in five food samples tested annually since 2020 has been found to be unsafe, substandard or inadequately labelled, underlining the scale of the challenge facing regulators.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Food safety should never become a seasonal concern that receives attention only when festivals are approaching. While the destruction of unsafe food is necessary to protect consumers, the larger goal should be prevention — through regular inspections, responsible storage, transparent supply chains and accountability for businesses that put public health at risk. At the same time, enforcement should be fair, evidence-based and focused on improving compliance rather than simply creating fear among food sellers.
Consumers, too, deserve clear information about what they are buying and the confidence that food sold in their neighbourhoods has been properly monitored. Festivals are meant to bring people together, and safe food is a basic part of that shared experience. Do you think food-safety inspections should be intensified throughout the year rather than only ahead of festive seasons?
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