Diwali Food Safety Drive in Indore: 26 Food Samples Collected from 11 Establishments; Unverified Weighing Equipment Seized

Joint operation by the Food Safety Administration and Weights & Measures Department; action initiated against two establishments for using unverified weighing instruments and weights.

Indore, November 3, 2026. With the Diwali festival approaching, the Food Safety Administration in Indore has intensified inspections across the city to ensure the quality of food products and protect consumers from unsafe or substandard food items. As part of this special drive, a joint team of the Food Safety Administration and the Weights & Measures Department inspected 11 food establishments and collected a total of 26 food samples. Joint action involving the Weights & Measures Department was also undertaken at two establishments.

The inspection campaign was conducted under the direction of Shri Manoj Pushp, Commissioner of Food Safety and Controller, Food and Drug Administration, Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal, and under the guidance of Indore Collector Shri Shivam Verma.

Dairy Products, Sweets and Edible Oil Samples Collected

During the inspection, three samples of paneer, traditional sweets and ghee were collected from Muskan Dairy in Chhota Bangarda. Two samples of paneer and ghee were taken from Snehal Dairy in Scheme No. 51, while one milk sample was collected from Ram Mohan Doodh Dahi Bhandar in Radhaswami Nagar, Chitawad Road.

Following a complaint, officials inspected Shri Basant Enterprises at SDA Compound, Musakhedi, and collected a sample of Kirti Gold Refined Soybean Oil. The Weights & Measures Department also examined the packaged oil products. The mandatory declarations and net weight printed on the packets were found to be in accordance with the prescribed requirements.

However, the electronic weighing equipment being used at the establishment was found to be unverified. The equipment was seized, and a case was registered.

At Farmers Milk Cart in the same area, four samples of mawa, milk cake, rasgulla and kesar peda were collected. During the inspection, the cleanliness arrangements were found unsatisfactory, following which an improvement notice is being issued to the operator. The Weights & Measures Department also seized an unverified weight being used at the establishment and registered a case.

Deficiencies Found During Inspections; Improvement Notices to Follow

One sample of urad dal was collected from Shriwari Food Ventures in South Tukoganj. The inspection revealed shortcomings in the pest-control arrangements. Medical fitness certificates of food handlers were also not available at the establishment. A notice is being issued to address these deficiencies and ensure the necessary improvements.

Four samples of Parag Vanaspati, Madhav Gold Kitchen Refined Oil, Ramdev Shivay Vanaspati and Divya Amrit Light Fat Cooking Medium were collected from S.S. Trading Firm in Pagnispaga.

Similarly, three samples of groundnut oil, gram flour (besan) and sonpapdi were collected from Pooja Namkeen Bhandar in Khatiwala Tank.

At Navshakti Doodh Dairy and Sweets in Tejaji Nagar, the stored mawa and paneer underwent preliminary testing using a Magic Box and test kit. Four samples of mawa, paneer, mawa roll and peda were collected from the establishment.

In the same locality, one sample of mixed milk was collected from Shri Krishna Doodh Dahi Bhandar. Two samples of gupchup and kesar peda were also collected from Sanwariya Milk Dairy at Khandwa Naka.

Street Vendors Educated on Food Safety and Hygiene

Alongside the inspection drive, the Food Safety Administration team, with the support of MFTL, conducted an awareness initiative for street vendors operating around the High Court and LIC office premises.

The vendors were informed about safe food storage and handling practices, maintaining cleanliness and following prescribed food safety standards. They were also encouraged to adopt proper hygiene practices to ensure that consumers receive safe food products.

Laboratory Reports to Determine Further Legal Action

All food samples collected during the campaign are being sent to laboratories for testing. Further action will be taken against the concerned food business operators, wherever violations are established through the laboratory reports, in accordance with the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

The department has stated that inspection and sample collection activities will continue throughout the festive season to maintain food quality, purity and safety and to safeguard consumer interests.

(SDNA)