Food Manifest 
Overview
Ahead of the Diwali festival, food safety authorities across India have stepped up inspections and enforcement drives to ensure the safety and quality of sweets, snacks, and other festive food.
Ludhiana
The district food safety team intensified inspections to ensure that local markets sell safe and high-quality food. Officials collected nine samples of sweets, dairy products, and cooking oil to test for adulteration and enforce FSSAI norms.
The team seized 50 kg of adulterated desi ghee and 189 kg of paneer being transported without refrigeration. Authorities said they will continue these drives across the city to curb unsafe food practices and provide consumers with clean, hygienic, and authentic festive food.
Meerut
The Bulandshahr Food Safety and Drug Administration seized and buried 3,000 kg of adulterated rasgullas and 2,000 litres of tainted milk during raids in Shikarpur and Khurja. Officials found that sweets were mixed with starch and prepared in unhygienic conditions, while chemicals were added to milk. On-site tests by a mobile lab confirmed adulteration. Authorities reminded that, as per FSSAI standards, rasgullas should be fresh, soft, pure white, and free from floury texture or impurities.
Lucknow
Under the Chief Minister’s directive, the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) is running a statewide Diwali food safety campaign from October 8 to 17. Officials have carried out 4,621 inspections, conducted 2,085 raids, and tested 2,853 samples, seizing 2,993 quintals of adulterated food worth ₹3.88 crore. They have destroyed 1,155 quintals, valued at ₹1.75 crore, for being unfit for consumption.
The campaign prompted three FIRs in Unnao, Mathura, and Lucknow. Authorities seized and destroyed adulterated items, including 215 kg of khoya in Unnao, 400 kg of paneer in Mathura, 802 kg of khoya in Lucknow, 790 kg of pickles in Hathras, along with 3,000 kg of spoiled pickles. In Bulandshahr, officials confiscated 3,000 kg of adulterated rasgulla and gulab jamun, and in Mirzapur, they seized 1,478 kg of khoya.
Officials stated that the campaign demonstrates the government’s zero-tolerance policy on food adulteration and ensures that citizens receive safe and hygienic food during the festive season.
Coimbatore
Ahead of Deepavali, authorities issued strict food safety guidelines for sweets and snacks. Vendors must use high-quality ingredients, maintain hygienic conditions, avoid adulteration and excessive colouring, and label raw materials and packaged foods with production and shelf-life details.
Officials require all manufacturers to hold a valid FSSAI licence, while seasonal vendors must register online. Food handlers must complete FoSTaC training and hold medical fitness certificates. Authorities have warned that violations will result in fines or legal action, and advised consumers to purchase from licensed vendors, check labels, and report complaints via WhatsApp or the TN Food Safety app.
Ranchi
Ahead of Diwali, Ranchi’s food safety team has intensified inspections across the district, focusing on milk-based sweets, paneer, khowa, and cooked foods. The teams have seized substandard items and taken legal action against 10 shops found violating food safety standards.
The drive also targeted roadside eateries, monitoring hygiene practices, and banned hookah services in the city. Officials have penalised offenders to reinforce compliance with safety regulations. These efforts aim to ensure that residents have access to safe, hygienic, and festival-ready food during the festive season.
Source: The Times of India
