Key Update

The Food Safety Department has intensified enforcement near the Shri Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh, to ensure safe food for devotees during the ongoing ‘Purushottam Mas’ or ‘Adhikmas’ (a holy month in the Hindu Calendar).

Acting on directions from the District Magistrate and under the supervision of the Chief Food Safety Officer, Food Safety Officer Jitendra Singh conducted surprise inspections at sweet shops near Vidyapeeth Crossing. Officials found pedas and other sweets being stored and sold in open, unhygienic conditions. Several shops also failed to display mandatory price lists.

200 kg Sweets Found in Unsafe Conditions

During the checks, officials discovered around 200 kilograms of pedas stored in contaminated plastic sacks under unsanitary conditions. The findings raised serious concerns about food safety in a high-traffic pilgrimage zone. Following the inspection, shopkeepers destroyed nearly 200 kilograms of sweets in the presence of officials. Authorities have also initiated enforcement action against the non-compliant establishments.

Shops Under Scrutiny

The action covered shops operated by Sonu Kajalwala, Rakesh Sharma, Omprakash Baghel, Vishnu Baghel, Priyavallabh, and Hari Shankar Saini, all located at Vidyapeeth Crossing, Vrindavan. The Food Safety Authority highlighted the crackdown on social media platform X, emphasising strict action against unhygienic food practices. The drive reinforces the need for strict hygiene and compliance, especially in sensitive pilgrimage destinations.

Source: NDTV