Food safety officials inspected 27 sweet and bakery establishments across Dehradun as part of a campaign to ensure that open sweet trays display manufacturing and expiry dates. The information is intended to help customers understand when the products were made and how long they can be used safely.

The campaign is being conducted on the directions of Vinay Shankar Pandey, Commissioner of Food Safety and Drug Administration. During the inspections, officials found that several businesses had marked both dates on trays, while some had not followed the instructions.

Inspections across Dehradun

A team led by Assistant Commissioner of Food Safety Manish Sayana and Senior Food Safety Officer Ramesh Singh visited sweet and bakery businesses in Balawala, Miyanwala, Haridwar Road, Jogiwala, Shastri Nagar, Nehru Colony and Saharanpur Road. The teams inspected 27 establishments in these areas.

The inspected businesses included Lucky Sweets in Miyanwala, Prakash Enterprises in Shastri Nagar, Aanchal Sweets, Chanchal Sweets, Ahuja Sweets, Om Bikaner Sweets, Neeraj Sweets, Doon Sweets, Rastogi Sweets and Goyal Sweets. Anil Mawa Bhandar and Sweets Shop was also found to have the required information recorded.

According to the department, manufacturing and expiry dates were not marked on the trays at Bikaner Mishthan Bhandar near Malsi Pulia, Bhagwan Das Chowk, Nakraunda Road, Jashoda Sweets in Miyanwala, Panwar Sweets in Jogiwala, Garhwal Sweets in Jogiwala and German Baker in Jogiwala.

The department said compliance reports from 5 of the concerned establishments had been received by evening. The businesses that had not followed the instructions were told to correct the shortcoming and comply with the prescribed directions.

Checks on Sahastradhara Road and IT Park

Food safety teams also inspected businesses on Sahastradhara Road and in the IT Park area. A team led by Senior Food Safety Officer Sanjay Tiwari checked Kashi Sweets and Bikaner establishments around IT Park and Mandakini Colony.

The manufacturing and expiry dates were found marked on the trays at these inspected establishments. However, another business was found not following the instructions. Officials directed the operator to display both dates clearly on the trays.

What the dates mean for customers

Open sweets are often displayed in trays without packaging that makes their preparation date and usable period immediately visible. Clearly marking the manufacturing and expiry dates can give customers important information before they make a purchase.

The department said the campaign is intended not only to inspect businesses but also to increase awareness among food operators and protect consumer interests. Traders have been directed to follow the prescribed food safety standards.

Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey said providing consumers across the state with safe, quality food that meets required standards is a departmental priority. He described marking manufacturing and expiry dates on open sweet trays as an important step towards that objective.

Pandey has also directed departmental officials to carry out regular inspections and ensure compliance. Food businesses have been told that ignoring the directions may result in action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, according to the department.

Conclusion

Dehradun’s inspection campaign found both compliant and non-compliant sweet businesses. Customers can use clearly displayed manufacturing and expiry dates when buying open sweets, while officials are expected to continue inspections and take action where directions are ignored.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How many establishments were inspected in Dehradun?

The food safety teams inspected 27 sweet and bakery establishments.

Q. What information must be displayed on open sweet trays?

The trays must clearly show the manufacturing date and expiry date.

Q. Which areas were covered by the main inspection team?

The team inspected businesses in Balawala, Miyanwala, Haridwar Road, Jogiwala, Shastri Nagar, Nehru Colony and Saharanpur Road.

Q. Were all inspected businesses following the directions?

No. Several businesses had marked both dates, but some establishments had not done so and were instructed to comply.

Q. Were inspections carried out in other parts of Dehradun?

Yes. Teams also visited Sahastradhara Road, IT Park and the area around Mandakini Colony.

Q. What action may follow continued non-compliance?

The department said establishments that ignore the directions may face action under the Food Safety and Standards Act.

Q. Who directed the inspection campaign?

The campaign is being conducted on the directions of Vinay Shankar Pandey, Commissioner of Food Safety and Drug Administration.