Major raid in Delhi; rotten fruits and vegetables found in warehouses
New Delhi. The Delhi government has taken a strict stand against those who play with people’s health during the festive season. To stop the sale of adulterated and spoiled food items in the capital, the Food Safety Department has started a large-scale checking campaign. During this period, raids were conducted in the warehouses and dark stores of e-commerce and quick-commerce companies. During the investigation, there was panic as rotten fruits and vegetables, food products that had crossed their expiry date, dirt, flies, mosquitoes and lizards were found at many places. Serious lapses like not keeping food at prescribed temperature and not following hygiene rules have also come to light in many premises.
Major action on the instructions of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta
On the instructions of Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the Food Safety Department has intensified the investigation campaign in various areas of the capital. Its main objective is to ensure the quality of food items sold in markets and through online platforms during festivals.
Teams of the department inspected warehouses, quick-commerce dark stores and other food storage centers of e-commerce companies. The officials checked the expiry date, packaging, storage system, temperature control and sanitary conditions of the food products.
Inspection revealed violations of food safety standards at many places. The Chief Minister has instructed the officials that there should be no compromise on the quality of food items and strict action should be ensured against the establishments violating the rules.
Rotten vegetables, flies and lizards found in warehouses
During the raid, very poor conditions were seen in many warehouses. At some places, fruits and vegetables were found rotten, while flies, mosquitoes and lizards were present around the food items.
Many premises did not have adequate pest control arrangements. Apart from this, lack of cleanliness and unhygienic storage conditions were observed at the places where food products were kept.
According to experts, food items kept under such conditions may be contaminated. Especially it is necessary to keep milk products, fruits, vegetables and frozen foods at proper temperature. If the prescribed temperature is not followed, there is a risk of the quality of food products being affected and the growth of harmful microorganisms in them.
Food items past their expiry date were also found
During the investigation, food items that had crossed their expiry date were also found in some warehouses. Frozen green peas, Greek yogurt, eggless chocolate-chip brownie and cow ghee were some of the expired products found at an online grocery storage facility in Uttam Nagar.
Apart from this, necessary information related to expiry was not mentioned on the packets of some fruits, vegetables and sprouted grains. Such irregularities have raised questions about the safety of consumers purchasing food items online.
59 samples of desi ghee tested, 19 unsafe
Along with inspecting the warehouses, the Food Safety Department also examined the quality of desi ghee sold in the markets. The department collected a total of 59 samples of desi ghee from different places and got them tested.
The results of the investigation were worrying. Of the total 59 samples, 19 were found unsafe for human consumption, while four samples did not meet the prescribed quality standards.
According to the department, the concerned establishments selling unsafe ghee have been ordered to be closed and their licenses have been suspended. It is clear from this action that monitoring of food quality is being given priority during festivals.
Notice for improvement in case of negligence
Improvement notices have also been issued to the concerned establishments violating food safety rules during inspection. Officials have stressed the need to ensure safe storage of food items, cleanliness and adherence to prescribed temperatures.
According to food safety standards, food businessmen have to regularly monitor the quality and storage system of products. Any kind of negligence can put the health of consumers at risk.
Important precautions for those purchasing food items online
Today, a large number of people order milk, ghee, sweets, fruits, vegetables and other food items through online platforms. In such a situation, it is very important to ensure the quality of these products.
Consumers should check the expiry date, packaging, colour, smell and freshness of food items while receiving them. If any product is found spoiled, rotten or in suspicious condition, instead of consuming it, a complaint should be lodged with the relevant platform and food safety authority.
Surveillance intensified to prevent adulteration during festivals
The demand for sweets, ghee, dairy products and other food items increases during festivals. At such a time, stopping the sale of poor quality and adulterated food items is a big challenge for the administration.
The Delhi government has directed the Food Safety Department to strengthen surveillance of markets, warehouses and establishments supplying food items.
This action in the capital has exposed the shortcomings of hygiene, storage and quality control in the online food supply system. The government says that any kind of compromise with the health of the people of Delhi will not be tolerated.