Punjab launches major crackdown on food adulteration: Over 5,000 kg paneer, 4,000 kg milk destroyed; legal action, seizures follow
NEW DELHI: The Punjab government has launched a statewide drive against food adulteration and substandard consumables, with extensive inspections and legal action taken over the past three years.
The campaign, led by the department of food safety, has involved mass testing of products including milk, paneer, ghee, spices, sweets, fruits, and vegetables.
According to official data, 2,340 paneer samples were collected during the campaign, out of which over 1,000 were found to be non-compliant with safety standards. This led to the seizure of more than 5,300 kg of paneer, of which 4,200 kg was destroyed. In addition, 700 of 2,559 milk samples tested failed to meet quality norms, resulting in the destruction of around 4,000 kg of milk.
Similar enforcement measures were taken against adulterated or low-quality desi ghee, spices, sweets, and produce. Where violations were detected, goods were seized and legal action was initiated against the responsible parties.
The crackdown has been supported by infrastructure such as mobile "Food Safety on Wheels" labs deployed in every district for spot testing. Further technical assistance is being provided by institutions including the State Food Testing Lab in Kharar, the Biotechnology Incubator in Mohali, and the Veterinary University in Ludhiana.
Punjab has also implemented a complete ban on the sale of energy drinks to children, becoming the first state in the country to do so. As part of a wider public health initiative, the government has also conducted over 500 awareness camps and set up more than 150 'Eat Right India'-certified food hubs and clean campus programs.
Officials said the campaign aims to ensure food sold across Punjab meets safety standards and to promote long-term changes in food safety compliance and awareness.
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Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Punjab launches major crackdown on food adulteration: Over 5,000 kg paneer, 4,000 kg milk destroyed; legal action, seizures follow
Bhagwant Mann (Agencies) NEW DELHI: The Punjab government has launched a statewide drive against food adulteration and substandard consumables, with extensive inspections and legal action taken over the past three years. The campaign, led by the department of food safety, has involved mass testing of products including milk, paneer, ghee, spices, sweets, fruits, and vegetables. According to official data, 2,340 paneer samples were collected during the campaign, out of which over 1,000 were found to be non-compliant with safety standards. This led to the seizure of more than 5,300 kg of paneer, of which 4,200 kg was destroyed. In addition, 700 of 2,559 milk samples tested failed to meet quality norms, resulting in the destruction of around 4,000 kg of milk. Similar enforcement measures were taken against adulterated or low-quality desi ghee, spices, sweets, and produce. Where violations were detected, goods were seized and legal action was initiated against the responsible parties. The crackdown has been supported by infrastructure such as mobile "Food Safety on Wheels" labs deployed in every district for spot testing. Further technical assistance is being provided by institutions including the State Food Testing Lab in Kharar, the Biotechnology Incubator in Mohali, and the Veterinary University in Ludhiana. Punjab has also implemented a complete ban on the sale of energy drinks to children, becoming the first state in the country to do so. As part of a wider public health initiative, the government has also conducted over 500 awareness camps and set up more than 150 'Eat Right India'-certified food hubs and clean campus programs. Officials said the campaign aims to ensure food sold across Punjab meets safety standards and to promote long-term changes in food safety compliance and awareness.
The Print
3 days ago
- The Print
Anti-drug drive in final phase: Punjab CM
He said the backbone of the drug supply chain has been entirely broken, and he thanked the people of Punjab for their enthusiastic support in this noble mission to save the future generations. Addressing members of these defence committees, Mann said the Punjab government launched the 'War Against Drugs' campaign on February 4 and has achieved major success in eliminating the roots of the menace. Ludhiana, Aug 4 (PTI) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday said his government's anti-drug campaign has entered its final phase, and expressed confidence that newly formed defence committees in villages and cities will play a decisive role in ending drug trafficking in the state. Mann said to keep villages and cities drug-free in the future, the government has formed defence committees and said he is fully confident that these committees will act as 'generals' in this war against drugs and safeguard villages and cities. He said each village or ward defence committee will be formed with four core members: the village sarpanch or ward councillor, a representative from the anti-drug campaign, the block development and panchayat officer or their representative, and the SHO or their representative. These committees will include 10 to 20 members, depending on the population, he said, adding that only individuals with clean records and reputation — such as retired army personnel, teachers, and village headmen — will be included. Each committee will be officially notified by the local sub-divisional magistrate, and committee members will be issued special government ID cards. It will facilitate communication with the administration regarding drug-related information or anti-drug activities, he said. Villages and wards will have round-the-clock surveillance to ensure no trafficker dares to operate, he said. The committee members will also assist in drug rehabilitation efforts and help reintegrate former addicts into society, he added. Any village or ward that achieves 100 per cent drug-free status will receive formal recognition and certificates of appreciation from the government, said Mann. 'These committees will raise awareness through street plays and door-to-door campaigns, adding that schools will also conduct awareness programs for children,' he said. He noted that more than 10,000 village-level meetings have already been held, and many panchayats have passed resolutions to declare their villages drug-free. He blamed traditional political parties for dragging Punjab into the swamp of drug addiction, saying, 'Had the previous governments restrained drug traffickers, we would not have needed to conduct such programmes today. Governments usually form development committees — not defence committees.' Mann said the state government has been forced to form these committees to fight the war against drug dealers. While the incumbent state government is fighting them, traditional parties were 'hand in glove' with them and were offering them protection, he alleged. Without naming anyone, Mann said, 'Important evidence has been found against the jailed former Akali minister, and it will be presented in court.' Mann was apparently referring to Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia who was arrested in a disproportionate assets case on June 25. PTI COR CHS RHL This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Indian Express
Punjab FDA flags 1,420 failed food samples in HC compliance report, bans energy drinks near schools
As many as 1,420 food samples out of 11,657 tested in Punjab in 2024–25 failed quality checks, the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) disclosed in a compliance report filed before the Punjab and Haryana High Court Monday. Punjab FDA also outlined enforcement and awareness measures taken across the state, including a ban on the sale of energy drinks to children near schools. The action comes in response to a March 4 order passed in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Kanwar Pahul Singh, following the death of a young girl, Manvi, in Patiala in March 2024 after she consumed a birthday cake ordered online. Her death had triggered widespread outrage. FDA's latest compliance report was filed in a related contempt petition, which is listed for hearing on August 19. A key development in the compliance report is a prohibition order issued on April 21, 2025, banning the sale of energy drinks to children, and their sale within 100 metres of schools in rural areas and 50 metres in urban areas. The ban is in effect for one year. The department also reported that inspections of high-risk food businesses are ongoing as per directives from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). 'There is no negligence on the part of state officials,' the FDA told the High Court, adding that the department is 'working day and night to improve the food safety ecosystem across the state.' According to the report signed by the FDA commissioner, 11,657 food samples were collected in 2024–25, of which 1,420 were found to be non-conforming. 'Subsequent appropriate action is being taken as per the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006,' the department stated. In the first quarter of 2025–26, the department lifted hundreds of samples of milk, oils, cereals, spices, sweets, and other commodities for enforcement and surveillance testing. Notably, 1,100 surveillance samples of fruits and vegetables were collected to check for contamination, including artificial ripening and heavy metal residues. Under the Eat Right India movement, the department reported more than 150 certifications awarded to clean street food hubs, mandis, schools, campuses, and places of worship. FDA has also conducted more than 500 awareness camps, 1,692 education programmes, and numerous workshops for food business operators over the past three years. The compliance report has been forwarded to the Registrar of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, all designated officers, and the petitioner.
