Uttarakhand’s food safety department has launched a state-wide campaign against food adulteration and unsafe practices. Under new state government guidelines, shops selling open sweets must display the product’s “best before” date on the tray.

The requirement applies to sweets sold without sealed packaging. Customers must be able to see the date displayed above the tray, according to Ajab Singh Rawat, assistant commissioner and district food safety officer.

Instructions for sweet sellers

Rawat said the department is holding regular meetings with shopkeepers and issuing strict instructions on compliance. Sellers have also been told that hygiene and quality cannot be compromised during food production.

The campaign is being conducted during the festive season and on ordinary days. The department has said its action will continue against those who put public health at risk.

Several food samples fail testing

Recent laboratory reports on food samples collected by the department found that several products did not meet required standards. The results included an economy-brand mustard oil sample that was classified as “substandard”.

A branded sesame oil sample also failed testing. In addition, khoya samples collected from 2 locations in Ramnagar and a curd sample from Nainital were reported to have failed.

The available report does not name the brands involved in the oil cases. It identifies the products and the places linked to the khoya and curd samples.

Notices issued before legal action

The food safety department has issued notices to the concerned shopkeepers and manufacturers. They have been asked to provide explanations regarding the failed samples and related findings.

Officials said further legal action will be taken at the district magistrate’s level through the ADM court. The notice process therefore precedes the next stage of action, and the available information does not state that a final court decision has been issued.

The department has described the campaign as an ongoing measure to protect public health. Its immediate requirements are clear: open-sweet sellers must display best-before information, while food businesses must follow hygiene and quality standards.

Conclusion

Uttarakhand’s new requirement places responsibility on open-sweet sellers to display best-before dates, while failed food samples have triggered notices and a further legal process through the ADM court.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What must open-sweet sellers display?

They must display the sweet’s “best before” date on the top of the tray.

Q. Who announced the requirement?

Ajab Singh Rawat, assistant commissioner and district food safety officer, provided the details.

Q. Which food products failed testing?

Samples of mustard oil, sesame oil, khoya and curd were reported to have failed testing or not met required standards.

Q. Where were the khoya samples collected?

2 khoya samples from locations in Ramnagar were reported to have failed.

Q. Where did the curd sample fail?

The curd sample was collected in Nainital.

Q. What action has the department taken?

Notices have been issued to the concerned shopkeepers and manufacturers, seeking explanations.

Q. Where will further legal action take place?

Officials said action will be taken at the district magistrate’s level through the ADM court.

Q. Will the campaign continue?

Officials said the campaign against those compromising public health will continue.