Haryana to intensify food checks before festive season
Chandigarh: Haryana will step up inspections and sampling of food products ahead of the festive season, with the state government directing officials to take stronger action against unsafe and substandard food items. Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi chaired a meeting of the state-level advisory committee of the Food and Drug Administration Department on Friday and reviewed measures to strengthen food safety and consumer protection. Rastogi stressed the need for better coordination between departments and stronger monitoring, inspection, scientific testing and enforcement across the food supply chain.
Fake paneer and ghee products under scanner
With demand and sales of food products expected to rise during the festive season, officials have been asked to increase sampling. Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Sumita Mishra said Haryana has imposed a one-year ban on the manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of analogue or non-dairy paneer under a notification issued by the Food Safety Commissioner. The meeting also reviewed directions concerning products sold or described as “ghee”, “ghee diya” and “puja ghee”. Officials said products represented or sold as ghee must meet the prescribed standards for ghee.
Food safety violations and penalties
According to the official statement, cases involving violations of food safety laws increased from 47 in 2023-24 to 111 in 2025-26. During the current financial year, 265 convictions had been recorded up to August 31, with fines totalling ₹55.86 lakh. In 2025-26, food safety enforcement resulted in fines of ₹2.35 crore.
45 Food Safety Officer posts sent for recruitment
To strengthen enforcement, the recruitment process for 45 regular Food Safety Officer posts has been sent to the Haryana Public Service Commission. The government said the additional manpower will help improve inspections, surveillance, sampling, testing and enforcement across the state.
