LUCKNOW : The Uttar Pradesh Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) has intensified enforcement against adulterated dairy products ahead of the Raksha Bandhan festival, following inspections that allegedly uncovered the use of substances ranging from refined oils and foreign fats to detergents, talcum powder and hydrogen peroxide in dairy-product preparation.
The latest drive reflects a shift in the state’s enforcement strategy from merely collecting samples to taking action against manufacturing units, storage facilities and brands where violations are established.
100 kg khoya destroyed in Kanpur Dehat
During a recent enforcement operation across Kanpur Nagar and Kanpur Dehat, 24 teams inspected khoya manufacturing units and major markets. Officials collected 28 samples and destroyed food materials and suspected adulterants with an estimated value of around ₹1.50 lakh.
At a khoya manufacturing unit in Badshahpur village, Rasoolabad, officials found a cream extraction machine, khoya furnaces, skimmed milk powder (SMP) and hydrogen peroxide.
Around 100 kg of prepared khoya was destroyed on the spot. Officials also recovered 175 packets of SMP stored in seven bags and around 15 litres of hydrogen peroxide. Samples of the recovered materials were collected for laboratory testing.
An FIR was registered at Rasoolabad police station against one person under Sections 274 and 275 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
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At another khoya unit in Badshahpur, officials recovered saifolite, which they said was allegedly being used in khoya preparation. The suspected adulterant was seized, while proceedings were initiated to cancel the unit’s food registration. Samples of 50 litres of milk and 50 kg of khoya were also collected.
Refined oil and SMP found at another unit
In Bhola Nagar village in Jhinjhak, another khoya manufacturing facility was found operating under unhygienic conditions.
Officials recovered 10 litres of refined soybean oil, 10 packets of SMP and around 32 kg of prepared khoya.
According to officials, the operator admitted to preparing khoya using refined oil, hydrogenated vegetable oil and SMP. The prepared khoya and refined oil were destroyed, and the unit’s food registration was suspended.
4.3 quintal khoya destroyed in Kanpur market
The enforcement drive also covered Kanpur’s major khoya markets, including Expressway Khoya Mandi, Fazalganj Khoya Mandi and Hatiya Khoya Mandi.
At Hatiya Khoya Mandi, officials inspected 14 vendors and collected 14 samples. Around 4.30 quintals of khoya, valued at approximately ₹1.07 lakh, was destroyed after officials found it stored under unhygienic conditions.
Samples from vendors at Expressway and Fazalganj markets were also collected and sent for laboratory analysis.
Wider action across Uttar Pradesh
The crackdown follows earlier FSDA inspections in several districts, where officials reported detecting suspected adulterants and potentially harmful chemicals in dairy-processing operations.
The department has indicated that where foreign fats, harmful chemicals or other prohibited adulterants are confirmed, enforcement action could extend beyond seizure of products.
Under the applicable food-safety provisions, authorities may seize and destroy affected products and take steps to stop manufacturing operations. Food licences or registrations may also be suspended where violations are established.
In cases involving confirmed harmful substances or foreign fats in products sold under a particular brand, authorities may also consider restrictions on the sale of the brand in Uttar Pradesh, including products manufactured outside the state but marketed within the state, subject to the applicable legal process.
Adulterants under scrutiny
Officials said inspections have brought alleged use of a wide range of substances to light. These include refined oils and fats, soybean-based ingredients, talcum powder, detergents, hydrogen peroxide, titanium dioxide, liquid glucose, neutralisers, surfactants and bleaching or whitening agents.
Some substances may allegedly be used to alter the texture, appearance or other characteristics of dairy products or to make them appear to meet certain parameters.
The issue assumes greater significance during the festive season, when demand for khoya, paneer, ghee, chhena and cream typically rises sharply.
District-wise enforcement
Meerut
- 2,400 kg adulterated khoya destroyed
- Skimmed milk powder (SMP), vanaspati and foreign fat recovered
- Samples of suspected adulterated food products collected for testing
Baghpat
- 455 kg adulterated khoya destroyed
- 65 kg paneer destroyed
- Food products found stored/prepared under unhygienic and insanitary conditions
- Samples sent for laboratory testing
Kanpur
- 4.3 quintal khoya found stored under unhygienic conditions destroyed
- 14 vendors were inspected and samples collected
Kanpur Dehat
- 100 kg of prepared khoya destroyed
- A cream extraction machine, khoya furnaces, skimmed milk powder (SMP) and hydrogen peroxide found in Rasoolabad
- 175 packets of SMP, 15 litres of hydrogen peroxide also seized
- Samples collected and sent for testing.
- An FIR registered
From sampling to accountability
The most significant aspect of the latest enforcement strategy is the emphasis on accountability across the dairy supply chain.
Officials said the objective is to ensure that enforcement does not end with laboratory reports. Where violations are established, action is expected against the concerned manufacturing units, licensing arrangements and persons responsible, along with applicable penal proceedings.
The intensified inspections ahead of Raksha Bandhan underline the growing focus on food safety, traceability and quality control in the dairy sector, particularly at a time when festive demand can create incentives for economically motivated adulteration.
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