Operation Sweet Safety: Telangana Cracks Down on Adulteration Ahead of Deepavali

As the festive fervor of Deepavali approaches, promising a cascade of sweets and celebrations, food safety authorities in Telangana are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that these treats are as pure as the occasion itself. Spearheading an intensive statewide food safety drive, joint teams are meticulously inspecting sweet shops, bakeries, and production units, determined to safeguard public health against substandard and adulterated confections.

This proactive campaign, launched well in advance of the festival, is primarily focused on scrutinizing the quality of ingredients, particularly the notorious khoya and various milk products often implicated in adulteration.

The teams are meticulously checking for proper hygiene practices, adherence to labeling standards, and the overall cleanliness of establishments. The goal is clear: to ensure that every sweet brought home for the festival adheres to the highest safety and quality benchmarks.

Food safety officials have issued stern directives to all sweet shop owners and manufacturers.

It is now mandatory for every establishment to possess and prominently display a valid FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) license. Crucially, all packaged sweets must clearly indicate their manufacturing date, best-before date, and expiry date. Loose sweets, often sold by weight, are not exempt; they too must display the date of manufacture and a 'best before' date, providing consumers with vital information about freshness.

Beyond labeling, the drive emphasizes stringent storage conditions.

Sweets and ingredients must be stored in environments that prevent spoilage and contamination, maintaining their integrity until they reach the consumer's plate. Shop owners found neglecting these crucial guidelines face severe penalties, including fines and legal action, underscoring the seriousness with which authorities view food safety violations.

The public also plays a pivotal role in this initiative.

Consumers are strongly encouraged to exercise vigilance: to carefully read labels, inspect the freshness of products, and report any suspicious practices or non-compliant shops to the food safety department. By working together, authorities and citizens can ensure that this Deepavali is celebrated with joy, light, and, most importantly, safe and wholesome sweets.