‘Detergent, hydrogen peroxide’ in khoya: UP cracks down ahead of Raksha Bandhan

An FIR was registered in Kanpur Dehat under Sections 274 and 275 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), while proceedings to suspend or cancel the food registrations of three food business operators were initiated, it is learnt.

Hydrogen peroxide found at khoya unit in Kanpur

At a khoya manufacturing unit in Badshahpur village in Kanpur Dehat’s Rasoolabad area, an enforcement team found a cream extraction machine, khoya furnaces, skimmed milk powder (SMP) and hydrogen peroxide. Around 100 kg of prepared khoya found on the premises was destroyed on the spot, officials said.

The team also recovered 175 packets of SMP kept in seven bags and around 15 litres of hydrogen peroxide. Samples of both substances were collected for testing. An FIR was registered at the Rasoolabad police station against one person under Sections 274 and 275 of the BNS.

At another khoya manufacturing unit in Badshahpur, officials found saifolite, a chemical which they said was being used in the preparation of khoya. The suspected adulterant was seized and proceedings to cancel the unit’s food registration were initiated. Samples of 50 litres of milk and 50 kg khoya were also collected.

In Bhola Nagar village in Jhinjhak, another khoya manufacturing unit was found operating under unhygienic conditions. Officials found 10 litres of refined soybean oil, 10 packets of SMP and around 32 kg of prepared khoya.

According to officials, the operator admitted to preparing khoya using refined oil, hydrogenated vegetable oil and SMP. The team destroyed the prepared khoya and refined oil on the spot and suspended the unit’s food registration.

4.3 quintals of khoya destroyed in Kanpur markets

The crackdown also extended to Kanpur’s major khoya markets — Expressway Khoya Mandi, Fazalganj Khoya Mandi and Hatiya Khoya Mandi.

At Hatiya Khoya Mandi, officials informed that 14 vendors were inspected and 14 samples collected. Around 4.30 quintals of khoya, with an estimated face value of Rs 1.07 lakh, was destroyed after it was found to have been stored under unhygienic conditions, officials said.

Samples were also collected from vendors at Expressway and Fazalganj khoya markets and sent for testing.

Earlier, the FSDA during inspections across several districts had detected adulterants and the use of potentially harmful chemicals in dairy units. After the fresh directions, if foreign fat or a harmful chemical, adulterant is detected in a manufacturing or processing unit, the dairy products present can be seized and destroyed. The manufacturing can also be stopped under Section 34 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, while the establishment’s food licence or registration can be suspended.

Moreover, if harmful chemicals or foreign fats are confirmed in a brand’s dairy products, the government can prohibit the sale of that brand across the state. The restriction can also apply to products manufactured outside the state but sold in UP.

Detergent, talcum powder among adulteration substances under scanner

Officials said the department’s inspections have also brought to light the alleged use of other substances.

Apart from refined oils and fats, soybean products, talcum powder, detergents and hydrogen peroxide, the alleged use of substances like titanium dioxide, liquid glucose and various neutralisers, surfactants, bleaching and whitening agents has also come to light.

Some of these substances, officials said, may be used to alter the characteristics or appearance of dairy products or to make them appear to conform to prescribed parameters. It becomes even more concerning since products such as khoya, paneer, ghee, chhena and cream are widely consumed and their demand increases during the festive season.

Officials said the objective of the new enforcement strategy is to ensure the action does not stop with laboratory reports. “Where violations are established, the department intends to act against the manufacturing units, licensing and those responsible with penal action,” said an official.

The crackdown

Meerut

• 2,400 kg adulterated khoya destroyed
• Skimmed milk powder (SMP), vanaspati and foreign fat recovered
• Samples of suspected adulterated food products collected for testing

Baghpat

• 455 kg adulterated khoya destroyed
• 65 kg paneer destroyed
• Food products found stored/prepared under unhygienic and insanitary conditions
• Samples sent for laboratory testing

Kanpur

• 4.3 quintal khoya found stored under unhygienic conditions destroyed
• 14 vendors were inspected and samples collected

Kanpur Dehat

• 100 kg of prepared khoya destroyed
• A cream extraction machine, khoya furnaces, skimmed milk powder (SMP) and hydrogen peroxide found in Rasoolabad
• 175 packets of SMP, 15 litres of hydrogen peroxide also seized
• Samples collected and sent for testing.
• An FIR registered