NEW DELHI: Delhi’s food safety department has stepped up inspections ahead of the festive season, collecting 37 samples of milk products and sweets and destroying around 131 kg of expired food items during checks at sweet shops, manufacturing units and vegetable markets, officials said on Wednesday.The inspections were carried out at sweet manufacturing units in Okhla, Badli, Nihal Vihar and Narela, besides the Okhla Subzi Mandi and Ghanta Ghar Subzi Mandi, as part of a special enforcement drive ahead of Raksha Bandhan.Food safety teams collected samples of paneer, khoya, ghee, sweets and other milk products under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, the department said.Around 131 kg of expired food items, including khoya, besan and atta, were found during the inspections and destroyed on the spot, PTI reported.The collected samples have been sent to designated food-testing laboratories for quality analysis. Further action will be taken based on the test results, officials said.With demand for milk, milk products and sweets expected to rise during the festive season, the department has directed enforcement teams to maintain heightened vigilance at markets, food establishments, manufacturing units and other vulnerable locations.“Food business operators have been advised to source raw materials only from reliable and licensed or registered suppliers, maintain proper hygiene and storage conditions, keep purchase invoices and traceability records, and ensure compliance with FSSAI licensing and food safety requirements,” officials said.The department has also advised consumers to check manufacturing and expiry dates, read food labels and purchase food items only from reputed and licensed or registered establishments.(With agency inputs)
