Patiala, September 24:
In view of the festive season, the Food Safety Department, Patiala, has further intensified its inspection, sampling and enforcement drive across the district to ensure that people are provided safe, hygienic and quality food products. The department has clarified that no food item can be termed adulterated merely on the basis of suspicion, appearance, hearsay or unverified information. Adulteration or non-compliance with prescribed standards can be confirmed only through the prescribed scientific testing process and, wherever required, on the basis of a report from an authorised food laboratory.
District Health Officer Dr. Gurpreet Kaur said that during the past week, the Food Safety Team conducted special inspections of various units involved in the preparation, manufacture and sale of sweets, bakery products and other food items. After recording the deficiencies found during the inspections, 15 improvement notices were issued, while one challan was also issued to a unit for unsanitary conditions. The concerned food business operators have been directed to rectify the deficiencies within the prescribed time. Failure to do so will invite further action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the rules framed thereunder.
Dr. Gurpreet Kaur said that a total of 38 enforcement samples have been collected so far during September, including 20 samples of khoya, paneer and other milk and dairy products. These samples have been sent to laboratories for testing for adulteration and for verification of compliance with prescribed food safety and quality standards. Once the laboratory reports are received, appropriate action will be taken in accordance with law wherever any violation is established.
She said that on September 23, 2026, the Food Safety Team intercepted a vehicle at Shambhu Border and seized approximately 547 kg of paneer, the safety and quality of which required verification. Samples were collected as per the prescribed procedure and sent for laboratory testing. She said that the final status of the paneer would be determined only on the basis of the laboratory report.
Dr. Gurpreet Kaur said that the department’s inspection and sampling drive would continue in the coming days to safeguard the health and interests of consumers, particularly during the festive season. She urged food business operators to ensure full compliance with prescribed food safety standards relating to hygiene, storage, preparation and sale of food items.
She also appealed to the media and the general public to rely on authenticated testing and laboratory reports before reaching any conclusion regarding food products. She said that claims made without scientific testing could create unnecessary concern among consumers and also adversely affect businesses that are operating in compliance with the law.
The Food Safety Department, Patiala, has clarified that wherever any violation is established through inspection or laboratory reports, appropriate legal action will be taken in accordance with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the applicable rules and regulations.
