Navratri checks intensify in Greater Noida; ghee, 18 kg chilli powder seized

Food safety officials seized ghee and chilli powder during an inspection at a Dadri mall. The action highlights intensified checks on food labelling and quality before Navratri.The inspection forms part of the department’s efforts to monitor food products being sold in the district during the festive season. (Credits: Arun Tyagi)The Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) department in Gautam Buddha Nagar seized around 240 litres of ghee and 18 kg of chilli powder during an inspection at City Mall in Dadri’s Nai Basti on Wednesday, October 14.The action was taken as part of an intensified food safety drive ahead of the Sharadiya Navratri festival.The department also collected six food samples for laboratory testing to check their quality and compliance with food safety standards.According to officials, the inspection was conducted on the directions of the district magistrate by a team led by Chief Food Safety Officer Virendra Dwivedi. The team inspected the City Mall operated by online platform company Cmunity Private Limited. Gautam Buddha Nagar Assistant Commissioner of Food, Second Division, Sarvesh Mishra, said the team collected one sample each of Avatar brand ghee, Avatar brand cow ghee, chilli powder, makhana, mustard oil and buckwheat flour.GHEE SEIZED OVER MISLEADING LABEL CLAIMSThe department seized around 240 litres of ghee after finding that the product packaging carried information about the presence of vitamins and minerals that officials considered misleading. The action was taken over concerns regarding the claims printed on the packaging. The department said the product would be subject to further examination as part of the food safety process.Officials also seized around 18 kg of chilli powder because the packaging did not carry mandatory details, including the packing date and batch number. The product was also classified as misbranded by the department.The seizure was carried out over the alleged violations of food labelling and packaging requirements. The department has not yet announced the laboratory findings for the six samples collected during the inspection.SIX FOOD SAMPLES SENT FOR TESTINGThe food safety team collected samples of six products to assess their quality and compliance with prescribed standards. The samples are being sent to a laboratory for analysis.Officials said further action would be taken after the test reports are received. The findings will help determine whether the sampled products meet the applicable food safety standards and whether additional proceedings are required.The inspection forms part of the department’s efforts to monitor food products being sold in the district during the festive season, when demand for food items typically rises.FOOD TRADERS WARNED AGAINST VIOLATIONSThe food safety department has directed food traders to procure products only from suppliers holding valid licences or registrations under the food safety law.Officials have also stressed that traders must obtain bills for purchases and verify essential details on food packaging, including the manufacturing date, batch number and other mandatory information, before selling products.Mishra said the department would continue conducting inspections under the district magistrate’s directions.The department’s ongoing campaign aims to ensure compliance with food safety requirements and prevent the sale of products that do not meet prescribed standards.Further action in the City Mall case will depend on the findings of the laboratory tests and the department’s assessment of the violations identified during the inspection.- EndsWith inputs from Arun Tyagi