Delhi food safety inspections ahead of the festive season have flagged hygiene and food-handling violations at several sweet manufacturing units and outlets across the Capital, including pest activity in storage areas and employees handling food without gloves, officials said on Tuesday.
The Delhi government’s Food Safety department collected samples of khoya, barfi, rasbhari, laddoos and other products from multiple establishments for laboratory testing. Officials said further action would be taken based on the test reports.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the government would not compromise on public health during the festive season, when demand for sweets and other food products typically rises. “The true joy of festivals lies in ensuring that every family can trust the hygiene and quality of the food it buys for its home,” she said.
Gupta said food businesses must maintain hygiene, ensure safe storage, train employees and follow proper food-handling practices. She added that awareness, accountability and adherence to prescribed standards were essential to protecting public health.
During an inspection at Kali Ghata Sweets’ manufacturing unit in the Vidya Vihar, or Hastsal, Industrial Area in West Delhi, officials found unsatisfactory hygiene and cleanliness. Improvements were also required at its Uttam Nagar outlet. Four samples—kesar rasbhari, aloo bhujia, ghee and palak boondi—were collected from the two premises.
At Bhikaram Chandmal Private Limited in Chandni Chowk, inspectors recorded shortcomings in hygiene and cleanliness and collected samples of khoya and rasbhari. Both manufacturing units of Aman Mithaiwala in the Narela Industrial Complex were also flagged for non-compliance with prescribed standards. Samples of barfi and milk cake were collected there.
At Evergreen Sweet House in Okhla Phase-II, inspectors found signs of pest activity in a storage area. The establishment could not produce its water testing report, and employees were found handling food without gloves. Samples of boondi dana and khoya were collected.
Inspections at Puri Baker and Bansiwala Sweets in the Badli Industrial Area identified deficiencies involving the display of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India licences, food-handler training and packaging documentation. Officials collected samples of yellow-coloured rasmalai and fat emulsion used in cake preparation.
At Grover Sweet Corner in Naraina, general hygiene was found to be satisfactory, but inspectors noted open dustbins, employees’ clothes kept in the work area and a lack of insect-proof mesh on windows. Water and product testing reports were unavailable, and samples of khoya and boondi laddoos were collected.
Singla Sweets in IP Extension was flagged for peeling ceiling plaster, missing insect-proof mesh and grease accumulation on its exhaust system. Inspectors also found that food stored in a freezer was not properly segregated or labelled. Samples of khoya and kaju bites were taken.
At Meethi Foods in Naraina, officials found cobwebs on the chimney, inadequate measures to prevent pest entry and no designated area for employees to keep personal belongings. The prepared premix did not carry its manufacturing date. Samples of kaju barfi and khajoor barfi were collected.
The department also collected samples of pista barfi and khoya from Chaina Ram Sindhi Halwai in Chandni Chowk, kesar peda from Haldiram Marketing on Mathura Road, almonds from Bikanerwala in Okhla, and peda from Heera Sweets in the Patparganj Industrial Area. The department said the next action in these cases would depend on the laboratory test results.
