The Delhi government's Food Safety Department seized and destroyed 6,700 kg of unhygienic and foul-smelling khoya at Mori Gate market on Tuesday, after 35 of the 44 samples collected during an inspection failed preliminary quality tests, officials said.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited the market to inspect the operation, which was conducted as part of an intensified campaign against food adulteration ahead of Diwali and other festivals. She directed officials to ensure that suspected unsafe food products did not enter the supply chain and warned that those found responsible for adulteration would face stringent legal action.
The latest operation was the fourth enforcement drive conducted by the department at Mori Gate's wholesale khoya market during the festive season. With Tuesday's action, the total quantity of khoya destroyed by the department since September has reached 10,660 kg.
๐ ๐ฎ๐ท๐ผ๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ฎ๐บ๐ฝ๐น๐ฒ๐ ๐ณ๐ฎ๐ถ๐น ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐น๐ถ๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐๐๐
During the inspection, food safety officials collected 44 surveillance samples from different establishments at the market. The samples were tested on the spot using the department's mobile testing facility, Food Safety on Wheels.
Of these, 35 failed the preliminary tests, prompting officials to intensify their examination of the suspected products. Two additional samples were collected and sent to a laboratory for detailed analysis.
According to officials, the initial screening raised concerns about the presence of milk powder, vanaspati and substances used for binding in the suspected material. Further laboratory examination is being undertaken to establish the composition of the products and determine whether food safety standards were violated.
The department said the objective of the operation was to prevent unhygienic and potentially adulterated khoya from reaching consumers through wholesale and retail markets.
Khoya, a concentrated milk product widely used in preparing traditional Indian sweets, experiences increased demand during the festive season, making its quality and storage conditions an important focus of food safety inspections.
๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ธ๐ต๐ฎ ๐๐๐ฝ๐๐ฎ ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ป๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป
During her visit, Gupta reviewed the operation and sought details from officials about the quantity of khoya seized, the testing process and the measures being taken to prevent unsafe products from reaching the market.
She praised the Food Safety Department for its vigilance and directed officials to continue inspections and enforcement drives throughout the festive season.
The Chief Minister said the government would not compromise on public health and that ensuring access to safe and quality food was among its foremost responsibilities.
She warned that those involved in food adulteration would face legal action regardless of their influence or position.
Gupta also emphasised that the government's objective was not merely to identify and destroy adulterated food products but to prevent such practices through sustained monitoring and enforcement.
๐ญ๐ฌ,๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฌ ๐ธ๐ด ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ธ๐ต๐ผ๐๐ฎ ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐๐ฒ๐บ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฟ
According to the Food Safety Department, the government has destroyed 10,660 kg of unsafe and suspicious khoya in four operations since September.
The first major action was conducted on September 4, when officials destroyed 2,830 kg of khoya. Another 610 kg was destroyed on September 8, followed by 520 kg on October 23.
Tuesday's operation accounted for the largest quantity, with 6,700 kg seized and destroyed at Mori Gate market.
Officials said inspections would continue at markets and food distribution points to detect suspected adulteration and ensure compliance with food safety regulations.
The department is also awaiting detailed laboratory findings from the latest samples, which could form the basis for further enforcement and legal proceedings.
The government has instructed inspection teams to maintain strict surveillance over food products sold during the festive period, particularly items used in the preparation of sweets.
The crackdown comes amid increased demand for milk-based products ahead of Diwali, with authorities seeking to prevent unsafe ingredients from reaching households and commercial sweet manufacturers.