Noida/Ghaziabad: In a large-scale pre-Diwali crackdown, food safety authorities in Gautam Buddh Nagar and Ghaziabad have seized and destroyed more than 1,100 kg of adulterated sweets, 145 kg of fly-infested rasgullas and several other contaminated food products to prevent unsafe items from reaching consumers during the festive season.
With Diwali approaching, food safety officials have intensified raids across sweet shops, dairy units and namkeen outlets, targeting both urban and rural pockets. From fungus-laden almonds to adulterated khoya and mustard oil, the raids have exposed widespread unhygienic manufacturing practices.
What the raids revealed
According to officials, the inspections were part of a pre-festival drive aimed at curbing food adulteration. Multiple production units, local sweet shops, and storage facilities were inspected. Contaminated sweets, oils, and dairy items were seized on-site and subsequently destroyed.
In Sector 115, Noida, inspectors found a unit producing sweets under filthy conditions, allegedly meant for rural distribution. Around 1,100 kg of sweets were destroyed immediately, with samples sent to laboratories for further testing. Assistant Commissioner (Food) Sarvesh Mishra confirmed that the team is maintaining strict surveillance across the district.
In Devla (Greater Noida), authorities discovered 145 kg of rasgullas stored in open, fly-ridden containers. The sweets were deemed unfit for consumption and destroyed on the spot.
In Sector 49, officials seized 80 kg of unlabelled white powder (claimed to be arrowroot) and 285 kg of mustard oil after the vendor failed to provide valid purchase documents.
Similar action followed in Surajpur and Lakhnawali, where 38 kg of substandard namkeen was confiscated, and samples of peda and other sweets were sent for testing. In Panwari and Ladpura, authorities seized 75 kg of adulterated rasgulla and 16 kg of spoiled khoya, respectively.
The Ghaziabad Sweep
Parallel raids in Ghaziabad led to the seizure and destruction of 113 kg of stale sonpapdi and 50 kg of fungus-infected almonds. Assistant Commissioner (Food), Arvind Yadav said five food safety teams have been active since October 8.
Samples of ghee, paneer, and milk cake have been collected for lab testing. Legal action will follow once reports confirm the extent of contamination.
Arvind Yadav, Food Inspectpr
Legal Action and Ongoing Monitoring
Officials said the seized items were unfit for human consumption under provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Legal proceedings are expected once laboratory results are in.
We are conducting continuous inspections across the district to prevent adulteration and safeguard consumers.
Sarvesh Mishra, Assistant Commissioner (FSSAI), UP
Authorities confirmed that the inspection campaign will continue through the festive season to ensure food hygiene and safety across markets in Noida and Ghaziabad.