The Punjab government has intensified its statewide campaign to combat food adulteration and substandard consumables, marking a major step in public health and safety enforcement. Spearheaded by the Department of Food Safety, the three-year drive has included large-scale inspections and immediate legal action.
Officials have tested a broad range of food items—milk, paneer, ghee, spices, sweets, fruits, and vegetables—across the state. Of the 2,340 paneer samples collected, more than 1,000 failed to meet safety norms. Over 5,300 kg of paneer was seized, and 4,200 kg of it was destroyed. Similarly, out of 2,559 milk samples tested, 700 were non-compliant, leading to the disposal of nearly 4,000 kg of milk.
The crackdown extended to adulterated ghee, contaminated spices, and substandard produce. Violations triggered swift seizures and prosecutions. Mobile testing vans called “Food Safety on Wheels” have been deployed in all districts to facilitate on-the-spot testing. Technical support is being provided by the State Food Testing Lab in Kharar, the Biotechnology Incubator in Mohali, and the Veterinary University in Ludhiana.
In a pioneering move, Punjab has also banned the sale of energy drinks to children—making it the first state in India to do so. The broader initiative includes 500+ awareness camps and the development of over 150 ‘Eat Right India’-certified food hubs and clean campus programs.
Officials say the campaign not only safeguards public health but also aims to raise long-term food safety awareness.