Haryana Health Minister Arti Singh Rao orders intensified food safety checks ahead of Diwali and Chhath, with 100–150 additional samples per district.
Haryana Health Minister Arti Singh Rao has directed the state’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to strengthen food safety surveillance ahead of the festive season. Under the special campaign, officials have been instructed to collect an additional 100–150 food surveillance samples in every district to ensure that consumers have access to safe, pure and unadulterated food products.
The initiative comes ahead of Diwali and Chhath Puja, when demand for sweets, milk and dairy products typically increases. The state government aims to strengthen inspections, identify unsafe food items and ensure strict action against violations of prescribed food safety standards.
Dr. Manoj Kumar, Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, said the Health Minister has directed officials to expand surveillance activities across Haryana. Special attention will be given to food products that are widely consumed during festivals, including sweets, milk, paneer, khoya and ghee.
Special District-Level Teams to Inspect Markets and Sweet Shops
As part of the Haryana food safety surveillance campaign, letters have been sent to all Deputy Commissioners, requesting the formation of special district-level food surveillance teams under the supervision of the district administration.
These teams will work in coordination with the concerned Designated Officers (Food Safety) and Food Safety Officers to conduct inspections and collect samples from key markets and food establishments.
The inspection drive will cover sweet shops, dairies, milk vendors and other food businesses. The objective is to identify adulterated, substandard and potentially unsafe food products before they reach consumers.
Each district-level team has been assigned a target of collecting 100–150 additional surveillance samples. These will be collected separately from the routine samples taken by Food Safety Officers, helping authorities widen the scope of inspections and improve monitoring across the state.
Special Focus on Sweets, Milk, Paneer and Khoya
During the festive period, the FDA will pay particular attention to products that see higher demand among consumers. These include sweets, milk, paneer, khoya, ghee and other commonly purchased food items.
Officials have been instructed to collect samples according to established procedures, maintain proper documentation and send them to designated food testing laboratories within the prescribed time frame.
The Haryana food safety surveillance campaign will also involve regular monitoring of laboratory reports. If a sample fails to meet the required standards, authorities will initiate appropriate regulatory action in accordance with the applicable law.
The department aims to ensure that food quality checks are carried out systematically and that suspected violations receive timely attention.
Weekly Reporting System to Improve Transparency
To strengthen accountability, FDA headquarters officials have been directed to upload weekly data on the department’s state portal regarding food samples declared substandard or unsafe following laboratory analysis.
The reporting mechanism will help authorities track the progress of sample testing, compare district-level performance and monitor regulatory and enforcement actions.
According to officials, regular data updates will support more effective supervision and improve public awareness of food safety issues. The system is also intended to make the department’s monitoring process more transparent.
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Over 2,400 Food Samples Collected in Six Months
Dr. Manoj Kumar shared the food sampling figures recorded between April 1 and September 30, 2026. During this period, Food Safety Officers across Haryana collected a total of 2,428 food samples.
The samples included:
1,239 enforcement samples
1,189 surveillance samples
Laboratory analysis found that 232 enforcement samples and 149 surveillance samples did not conform to the prescribed food safety standards.
The department has initiated the necessary regulatory and enforcement proceedings in these cases under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the rules and regulations framed under it.
These findings underline the importance of regular testing and inspections to identify food quality violations and protect consumers.
Separate Enforcement Samples to Be Collected Where Required
The FDA Commissioner clarified that when a surveillance sample is found to be non-compliant, the concerned Food Safety Officer will promptly review the laboratory report.
Where required, a separate enforcement sample will be collected by following the prescribed legal procedure. Further action will then be taken under the relevant provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
This process is intended to ensure that violations are handled in accordance with the law and that appropriate action can be taken against those responsible for selling or distributing unsafe food products.
The department has reiterated its commitment to protecting public health through coordinated inspections, timely review of laboratory results and effective enforcement of food safety regulations.
Health Minister Appeals to Consumers and Food Businesses
Arti Singh Rao has urged food business operators to follow all prescribed hygiene and quality standards. Manufacturers, distributors, shopkeepers and other food businesses have been asked to refrain from producing, storing, distributing or selling adulterated, substandard or unsafe food items.
The Health Minister has also appealed to consumers to remain alert while purchasing food during the festive season. People should buy food products from reliable sources and report suspected adulteration or other food safety violations to the concerned authorities.
Through the Haryana food safety surveillance campaign, the state government aims to expand food inspections, improve monitoring and take timely action against violations during Diwali and Chhath Puja.
The government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring access to safe and quality food for residents across Haryana through stronger surveillance, transparent reporting and strict enforcement of food safety laws.
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