Uttarakhand: Campaign against adulterated food items continues, vigilance increased at borders
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Amid the growing demand for sweets in festive markets, the Uttarakhand government has adopted a strategy of cracking down on adulterators. A campaign against adulterated food products is underway across the state. Special vigilance is being maintained at the state’s borders to prevent adulterated mawa and sweets from other states from entering Uttarakhand.
Massive Inspection Campaign in Dehradun
Before Diwali, teams from the Food Safety Department also inspected establishments selling sweets and dairy products in Dehradun. Led by Assistant Commissioner of Food Safety Manish Sayana, the teams raided Harrawala, Mohkampur, Haridwar Road, and Sahaspur areas. During the inspections, a total of 10 samples of Kalakand, ghee, and dairy products were sent for testing.
10 Quintals of Mawa Seized
Just before Diwali, a joint team of the Food Safety Department and police conducted a major operation at the Amanatgarh police post in the Buggawala police station area. The team stopped and searched a Mahindra SUV-500 vehicle (traveling from Muzaffarnagar to Dehradun), seizing approximately 900 kg (10 quintals) of mawa. Due to suspicion of adulteration, samples were collected and sent to the Rudrapur laboratory. The driver, Arif, son of Mohammad Naeem, and the owner of the mawa, Chhuttan Lal Pramod Kumar, a resident of Muzaffarnagar, are being questioned. The mawa was to be delivered to the Hanuman Chowk area of Dehradun.
Mawa supply without temperature control detected in Roorkee
The team also took major action in the Roorkee area. Led by Senior Food Safety Officer Mahima Nand Joshi, the team stopped a vehicle coming from Delhi. Upon inspection, approximately 10 liters of mawa was recovered, valued at approximately 55,000 rupees. The vehicle lacked a temperature control system or a license to transport mawa. The investigation revealed that the mawa was prepared under unsanitary conditions. The team collected samples from the scene and sent them for testing. Plastic bags and polythene bags, which are prohibited for storing food, were also found in the vehicle. The recovered mawa was destroyed on the spot.
