Gautam Buddh Nagar, February 24, 2026:
With Holi approaching, the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department has intensified inspections across Gautam Buddh Nagar to ensure the availability of safe and unadulterated food products. Acting on the directions of the District Magistrate, multiple enforcement teams conducted early-morning raids at dairy and sweet establishments in Noida and Greater Noida, collecting samples of paneer and khoya for laboratory testing and destroying suspected adulterated stock to protect public health during the festive season.
Officials stated that festivals such as Holi witness a sharp surge in the consumption of milk-based products, including sweets, paneer, and khoya, which are highly vulnerable to adulteration due to increased demand and profit pressures. To prevent the circulation of unsafe food items, enforcement teams have been conducting surprise inspections and sample collection drives across the district.
Assistant Commissioner (Food) II Sarvesh Mishra confirmed that inspection teams began operations early in the morning at multiple locations. One team, led by Food Safety Officers Vishal Kumar Gupta and Syed Ibadullah, inspected Chaudhary Paneer Bhandar located in Tilpata, Greater Noida. During the inspection, approximately 200 kilograms of paneer was found stored at the premises. Officials reported that the paneer appeared contaminated and prima facie adulterated based on visual examination and storage conditions.
Following standard enforcement procedures, the team collected one official sample of paneer for laboratory analysis. Considering the suspected adulteration and potential risk to consumers, the remaining stock of paneer was immediately destroyed on the spot to prevent its sale or distribution in the market. Officials emphasized that such action was necessary to eliminate the risk of unsafe food products reaching consumers during the festive period.
In a separate inspection operation, another team comprising Food Safety Officers S. K. Pandey and O. P. Singh conducted a raid at Ganeshwaram Restaurant in Sector-45, Noida. During the inspection, khoya, a key ingredient used in preparing traditional sweets such as gujiya, peda, and barfi, was found stored at the establishment. The team collected one official sample of khoya for laboratory testing to determine whether it complied with prescribed food safety standards.
Similarly, a third enforcement team led by Food Safety Officers Mukesh Kumar and Vijay Bahadur Patel inspected Gopala Sweet shop located in Sector-93, Noida. Khoya stored at the premises was examined, and one sample was collected for further analysis. Officials noted that khoya is among the most commonly adulterated food products during festivals due to its high demand and limited shelf life, making continuous monitoring essential.
In total, three food samples—one paneer sample and two khoya samples—were collected during the inspection drive. All samples have been formally sealed and sent to a government-authorized laboratory for detailed analysis. The laboratory will examine the samples to determine whether they meet the standards set under the Food Safety and Standards Act and associated regulations. If any sample is found to be adulterated or unsafe, strict legal action will be initiated against the concerned establishments in accordance with food safety laws.
Officials explained that sample collection and laboratory testing are part of a systematic enforcement process designed to identify adulteration, contamination, and violations of hygiene standards. If laboratory results confirm adulteration, authorities may impose penalties, initiate prosecution, suspend licenses, or take other enforcement measures to ensure compliance and deter future violations.
Assistant Commissioner Sarvesh Mishra stated that the department remains fully committed to ensuring the availability of safe and hygienic food products to residents of Gautam Buddh Nagar, particularly during major festivals when consumption increases significantly. He added that enforcement teams will continue to conduct regular inspections, surprise raids, and sampling drives under the direction of the District Magistrate.
Authorities emphasized that ensuring food safety during festivals is a top administrative priority, as adulterated food products can pose serious health risks, including food poisoning, digestive disorders, and long-term health complications. Milk-based products are especially vulnerable to adulteration with harmful substances such as synthetic milk, starch, detergent, and low-quality substitutes, which can severely impact public health.
The Food Safety and Drug Administration Department has also urged food business operators to strictly follow hygiene standards, maintain proper storage conditions, and ensure that all products comply with prescribed safety norms. Vendors and shop owners have been warned that strict action will be taken against anyone found violating food safety regulations.
Officials reiterated that such enforcement drives will continue throughout the Holi season to ensure that consumers can celebrate the festival without concerns about food safety. Continuous monitoring, laboratory testing, and enforcement action are expected to play a critical role in preventing adulterated food products from entering the market and safeguarding public health across the district.
