NEW DELHI: The Delhi government’s Food Safety Department has intensified inspections across the national capital ahead of the festive season, destroying around 508 kg of spurious paneer found at the Okhla sabzi mandi, officials said on Monday.According to a statement, the department also collected 22 enforcement samples of various food items from different districts over the past two days. The samples have been sent to designated laboratories for testing, with further action to follow based on the reports.Delhi health minister Pankaj Kumar Singh said the government would have “zero tolerance” for food adulteration, particularly as demand for paneer, milk products, sweets and edible oils rises during the festive season.“Festivals are a time of happiness and celebration, and every family has the right to enjoy festive food without worrying about its safety,” Singh said, adding that strict action would be taken against those compromising food quality or putting consumers’ health at risk.The minister said dedicated teams had been deployed in every district to inspect food establishments, markets and supply points and take action wherever violations are found.The department said legal action has been initiated over the spurious paneer seized at Okhla under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and relevant rules and regulations.Officials said the intensified checks would continue in the coming days, focusing not only on enforcement but also on monitoring the food supply chain to prevent unsafe and substandard products from reaching consumers.The department has warned manufacturers, suppliers and establishments involved in the manufacture, storage, distribution or sale of adulterated or unsafe food products of strict action.(With inputs from PTI)
