NO COMPROMISE WITH PUBLIC HEALTH DURING DIWALI: FOOD SAFETY DEPARTMENT CONDUCTS SPECIAL CHECKING DRIVE IN LUDHIANA, 10 SAMPLES COLLECTED AND 15 KG OF SWEETS DESTROYED
Two unhygienic challans issued; inspections conducted at sweet shops, bakeries, dairy establishments and paneer manufacturing units
Ludhiana, November 2, 2026:
With the objective of ensuring the availability of safe, hygienic and quality food products to consumers during the Diwali festival and curbing food adulteration, the Food Safety Department, Ludhiana, is conducting a special inspection drive across the district. As part of this campaign, the Food Safety Team today carried out special inspections of sweet shops, bakeries, paneer manufacturing units and dairy establishments in various parts of the city.
Sharing details of the inspection drive, District Health Officer (DHO) Dr. Ashish Chawla informed that the Food Safety Team inspected various food business establishments in areas including Division No. 3, CMC Chowk, Bhamian and Alamgir-Chauri Road.
During the inspections, the team collected a total of 10 samples of different food products, including sweets, bakery products, paneer and other milk-based products. These samples will be sent to the laboratory for scientific examination, and further legal action will be initiated under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, after receipt of the laboratory reports.
Dr. Ashish Chawla further informed that two unhygienic challans were issued against food business operators after violations of prescribed cleanliness and hygiene standards were noticed at certain establishments. Additionally, approximately 15 kilograms of sweets, which were found unfit for consumption or unsatisfactory in terms of quality and hygiene, were destroyed on the spot to prevent their sale and protect public health.
He directed all sweet shop owners, dairy operators, bakery owners and other Food Business Operators (FBOs) to maintain proper cleanliness at their establishments and strictly comply with the prescribed food safety standards. He emphasized that only good-quality raw materials should be used in the preparation of sweets and that no compromise should be made with the quality of milk, khoya, paneer, ghee and other ingredients.
He further stressed that sweets and other food products must always be properly covered and that preparation and storage areas should be maintained in hygienic conditions. Food business operators were also instructed to use only safe and standard-quality ingredients and pay special attention to the manufacturing and expiry dates of food products.
Dr. Chawla reminded all Food Business Operators that obtaining a valid Food Safety Licence or Registration and displaying it prominently at their respective establishments is mandatory under the applicable regulations.
He made it clear that food adulteration, the sale of substandard food products and violations of hygiene standards during the Diwali festival would not be tolerated under any circumstances. Strict legal action will be taken against violators under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Appealing to the general public, Dr. Chawla advised consumers to remain vigilant while purchasing sweets and other food products during Diwali. People should pay special attention to the quality, hygiene and reliability of food items, avoid purchasing uncovered sweets and suspicious food products, and report any suspected adulteration or sale of substandard food items to the Food Safety Department.
Reiterating the department's commitment to safeguarding public health, the District Health Officer stated that the special checking drive would continue throughout the Diwali festive season. The department will take strict action, as per the law, against those involved in food adulteration and violations of prescribed food safety and hygiene standards.
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