To safeguard public health during the current festive season, the Uttar Pradesh government has launched an intensive state-wide drive against adulterators.
Under the ‘Diwali Special Campaign’, enforcement teams of the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department (FSDA) carried out relentless inspections and raids across 75 districts, taking action against adulterated and contaminated food items.
The government has instructed district-level teams to maintain strict vigilance and ensure that adulterators cannot endanger public health. Regular market monitoring is now underway.
Emphasising that Diwali represents purity, transparency and health protection, the Yogi Adityanath government has resolved to extend this drive beyond the festival—taking concrete steps toward making UP adulteration-free.
Under the leadership of Dr Roshan Jacob, Commissioner of UP Food Safety and Drug Administration, this campaign included 6,075 inspections and 2,740 raids.
A total of 3,767 samples were collected for testing, and 3,548 quintals of adulterated or suspicious material were seized, valued at approximately Rs 4.97 crore.
Additionally, 1.87 tonnes of harmful material worth Rs 2.89 crore were destroyed. In total, adulterated goods worth roughly Rs 8 crore have been seized and destroyed.
Jacob said Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has given clear instructions to prevent the sale of adulterated food items during festivals.
The purpose of this special campaign is to ensure that sweets, milk, oil, ghee, spices, dry fruits, and other items sold in the markets during Diwali and other festivals are completely pure and safe.
Any compromise with public health will not be tolerated at any level. Strict action is being taken against adulterators, including registration of FIRs against the culprits, she warned.
Those involved in organised adulteration will face legal action not only under the FSS Act 2006 but also under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
FIRs are being registered in such cases to ensure strict punishment. In areas where organized adulteration networks have been identified, recommendations have been sent to the respective district magistrates to take action under the Gangster Act or the Arms Act.
The department has instructed all food business operators to display a ‘Food Safety Sticker’ at their establishments.
The sticker will include the name of the establishment, mobile number, departmental toll-free number, and a QR code, allowing consumers to register complaints or feedback instantly.