FSDA inspects 86 establishments for food safety across Varanasi, Agra, Lucknow ahead of Deepavali

To ensure consumers receive safe, pure and quality sweets and savory snacks (namkeen) for Deepavali, the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA), Uttar Pradesh stepped up food safety inspections across the state under the “Shuddh Hi Shubh Hai” campaign.

As part of the campaign, sweet and namkeen manufacturing establishments and related food business units were inspected in Varanasi, Agra and Lucknow. In total, 86 establishments were checked across the three cities. Where lapses in food safety standards were found, the FSDA issued 71 improvement notices and collected 30 food samples. On finding serious irregularities, the food business licences of four establishments were suspended, and in Lucknow, one sweet shop was also shut down.

State-level teams took action based on the regulatory inspection guidelines and checkpoints prescribed for the sweets and namkeen sector. The inspections checked cleanliness of manufacturing premises, quality of raw materials, safe handling of milk and dairy products, use of food colours and additives, quality of edible oil, pest control, drinking water, personal hygiene of food handlers, licences, records, and compliance with packaging rules.

In Varanasi, 30 establishments involved in manufacturing and selling sweets and namkeen were inspected. During this, 28 improvement notices were issued and 15 food samples were collected. At Cozy Sweets in Sindhi Colony, Pandeypur, Varanasi, the manufacturing premises were found unhygienic during inspection. Waterlogging was found at several places in the premises, along with excessive dirt on the floor and cobwebs on the walls. There was no proper waste management arrangement. Irregularities were also found in the storage of edible and non-edible items. The cleanliness of machines and utensils used in manufacturing was found unsatisfactory.

Additionally, reports related to pest control and water quality were not available. In view of these serious deficiencies, it has been recommended that the establishment’s food business licence be suspended. The operations at these places may resume only after improvement is recorded in line with the prescribed standards.

In Agra, 27 sweet and namkeen establishments were inspected. During this, 19 improvement notices were issued and 15 food samples were collected. The inspection checked cleanliness, upkeep of premises, packaging of food items, and materials used in manufacturing.

At Banke Bihari Mishthan Bhandar in Kamla Nagar, the manufacturing premises were found unhygienic. Waterlogging was found at several places, with excessive dirt on the floor and cobwebs on the walls. There was no proper waste management arrangement, and the cleanliness of machines and utensils used in manufacturing was also lacking. Reports related to pest control and water quality was unavailable. Based on the shortcomings, the department has proposed suspension of food licence. It has been stated that manufacturing may resume only after improvements in line with the standards.

At the premises of Hira Halwai in Seth Gali, Agra, manufacturing was also found to be taking place in unhygienic conditions. Waterlogging was found at several places at the premises, along with excessive dirt on the floor and cobwebs on the walls. In view of these serious deficiencies, it has been recommended that the establishment’s food business licence be suspended.

At Pushpak Sweets Bhandar in Chhipi Tola, cleanliness was not found satisfactory. About two meters of the premises were without tiles, and a water test report was not found. The packaging material was also found not to conform to food-grade standards. Borax powder was also found on the premises during the inspection. According to the Food Safety Department, the substance was found in the context of its being mixed into milk to extend its shelf life. Borax is not permitted to be used in food items in this manner. Treating this as a serious irregularity, it has been recommended that the establishment’s food business licence be suspended. It has been stated that manufacturing may resume only after improvements in line with the standards.

Under the campaign in Lucknow, 29 establishments were inspected and 24 improvement notices were issued. During the inspection, dirt, cobwebs on the walls, disorder in the food premises, and lapses in the personal hygiene of food handlers were found at the sweet shop Rajasthan Wala. In view of these conditions, the establishment’s business was shut down.

During the campaign, the status of compliance at retail establishments with rules on displaying use-by dates on sweets and on packaging material was also checked. The inspections focused on important aspects such as safe storage of food items, keeping raw and cooked food separate, quality of milk and dairy products, personal hygiene, and upkeep of premises.

According to the department’s inspection details, improvement was seen on some points compared to earlier. The growing awareness among businesses about food safety standards is a positive sign from the consumer-interest perspective. However, where serious irregularities were found, regulatory action such as issuing improvement notices and recommending licence suspension was taken.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw are scheduled to flag off the new overnight service from Varanasi railway station.

According to airport officials, the project spans a total length of 2,864 metres. The airport inaugurated an 804-metre priority section on Wednesday, which will become operational from midnight on Thursday (12 am onwards).

Sudhi Singh, a Class 12 student at Crimson World School in Varanasi, has gained international recognition with her documentary film, "The Doms: Kings of the Pyre."