State increases surveillance of paneer, ghee, milk products and other high-risk foods; ₹24 crore allocated for new testing laboratories
CHANDIGARH: The Haryana Government has intensified its food-safety enforcement drive ahead of the festive season, directing authorities to increase food sampling, strengthen inspections and improve surveillance of dairy products and other high-demand foods.
The decision was reviewed at the second meeting of the State Level Advisory Committee (SLAC) of the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) Department), chaired by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi.
With demand for sweets, milk products and other food items expected to rise during the festive period, Rastogi directed officials to step up sampling and enforcement, stressing that consumer safety should remain a priority.
Paneer and ghee under increased scrutiny
Among the key measures reviewed was the state’s action against analogue or non-dairy paneer.
Haryana has prohibited the manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of analogue paneer for one year under a notification issued by the Commissioner, Food Safety.
Authorities have also increased scrutiny of products marketed as ghee, including products sold under names such as “Ghee Ka Diya” and “Pooja Ka Ghee”.
Officials said such products must comply with the food standards applicable to ghee, regardless of their intended use.
The move comes amid wider concerns over the circulation of products that may resemble conventional dairy products but fail to meet prescribed food standards.
265 convictions recorded till August 31
Haryana’s enforcement data indicates a sharp increase in convictions under food-safety laws.
The number of convictions rose from 47 in 2023-24 to 111 in 2025-26.
The pace has increased further in the current financial year, with 265 convictions recorded up to August 31.
Authorities have imposed penalties of ₹55.86 lakh so far this financial year, while enforcement action during 2025-26 resulted in penalties of ₹2.35 crore.
45 Food Safety Officer posts proposed
To strengthen field-level enforcement, the state has initiated recruitment for 45 regular Food Safety Officer positions.
The recruitment proposal has been forwarded to the Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC).
The additional personnel are expected to strengthen food sampling, inspections, investigations and follow-up action across districts.
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The government is also considering formally recognising the FDA, Haryana, as an enforcement department, reflecting the growing responsibilities of the agency.
₹24 crore allocated for food testing infrastructure
Scientific testing capacity is another major focus of the state’s food-safety strategy.
Haryana has allocated ₹24 crore in 2026-27 for establishing modern food-testing laboratories at Hisar and Narnaul during the first phase of its laboratory expansion programme.
The broader plan envisages eight integrated food-testing laboratories across:
- Hisar
- Narnaul
- Sirsa
- Jind
- Yamuna Nagar
- Rohtak
- Faridabad
- Gurugram
The additional laboratory infrastructure is expected to improve the speed and capacity of scientific testing and support enforcement action based on laboratory findings.
District-level monitoring strengthened
The state has also constituted District Level Advisory Committees to improve local monitoring and facilitate quicker responses to food-safety concerns.
During 2026, FDA teams conducted enforcement drives targeting ghewar, milk and milk products, caffeinated beverages and imported food products.
The department has also conducted hygiene-awareness programmes covering food establishments, including dhabas and street-food vendors.
Multi-agency approach to food safety
Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Dr Sumita Misra, said Haryana was following a multi-pronged approach that combines faster detection of unsafe food, improved scientific testing, stronger inspections and greater accountability among food business operators.
The government has also emphasised coordination between departments, recognising that effective food-safety enforcement requires action beyond a single regulatory agency.
As the festive season approaches, the increased surveillance of paneer, ghee, milk products and sweets is expected to remain a key focus of Haryana’s enforcement programme.
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