Daijiworld Media Network - Ghaziabad

Ghaziabad, Aug 25: Ahead of Raksha Bandhan and the festive season, the Food Safety Department conducted a raid at a sweet storage and manufacturing facility in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, and seized and destroyed around one tonne of adulterated rasgullas prepared under unhygienic conditions.

Officials found sweets exposed to severe contamination, with visuals from the facility showing rasgullas and other preparations infested with flies and insects.

During the inspection, authorities reportedly found that starch had been mixed with paneer to prepare the sweets. Chemical additives were also allegedly being used during the manufacturing process.

Food safety officials collected samples of the seized rasgullas, paneer and other ingredients and sent them to a laboratory for detailed testing. The tests will determine the extent of adulteration and possible health risks associated with the products.

The facility was reportedly functioning as a central storage and manufacturing unit, from where the sweets were supplied to several retail shops across the region.

Officials said strict legal action would be initiated against those responsible based on the laboratory findings. The action could include cancellation of food licences and registration of police cases if violations are confirmed.

The raid comes ahead of Raksha Bandhan, when demand for sweets traditionally rises sharply, prompting food safety authorities to intensify inspections of sweet shops and manufacturing units to prevent the sale of adulterated food products.