Lucknow, Oct 24 (IANS): The Food Security and Drug Administration (FSDA) department in Uttar Pradesh has stepped up its vigilance drive to curb adulteration during the ongoing festive season.

According to officials, FSDA teams have increased their surveillance across the major cities and are conducting surprise visits to sweet shops, retail stores and grocery marts.

The officials are undertaking random sampling of food items and sending them to forensic labs to check whether or not they comply with the quality standards mandated by the government.

The products, that are under the radar of the department, are mostly those items that are consumed during the Navratri and Dussehra festivals.

These items include jaggery, sago, yogurt, buckwheat flour and Asafoetida.

“On Sunday, a total of 11 samples have been collected and sent to the laboratory for analysis. After receiving the report, legal action will be taken under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006,” said assistant commissioner (food)-II SP Singh.