Extensive food safety inspections ordered by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, unhygienic conditions in warehouses and irregularities in ghee samples found
Expired food products found at dark stores, 19 desi ghee samples found unsafe in major enforcement drive in Delhi
No compromise will be allowed with the health of Delhiites: Chief Minister Rekha Gupta
New Delhi, October 2026 : The Delhi government has stepped up its efforts to protect the health of Delhiites and curb food adulteration. On the directions of Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta, the Food Safety Department is conducting an extensive enforcement drive. As part of the drive, warehouses and dark stores operated by e-commerce and quick-commerce companies are being inspected. Samples of various brands of desi ghee sold in markets have also been tested.
The inspections revealed expired food products, the presence of pests, unhygienic storage conditions and shortcomings in maintaining the required temperature at several premises. Of the 59 desi ghee samples tested, 19 were found to be unsafe, while four failed to meet food safety standards. Action is being taken in accordance with the rules based on the deficiencies identified. The Chief Minister has said that compromising on food quality or endangering people’s health through adulteration is unacceptable under any circumstances. The health of Delhiites will not be compromised.
Expired Products, Pests and Hygiene Lapses Found at Dark Stores
Food Safety Department officials inspected food storage facilities operated by quick-commerce and retail companies in various parts of Delhi. During the inspections, they found expired products, pests, unhygienic storage conditions, shortcomings in maintaining the prescribed cold-storage temperature, damaged packages and labelling irregularities.
At Swiggy Instamart’s premises in Uttam Nagar, officials found frozen green peas, Greek yoghurt, eggless chocolate-chip brownies and cow ghee products that had passed their expiry dates. Some packets of sprouts, fruits and vegetables also did not carry expiry dates. At Reliance Retail Limited’s premises in the Wazirpur Industrial Area, flies, mosquitoes and a lizard were found. Spider webs were also present. In addition, the cleaning schedule and the related checklist were not available.
During an inspection at Zomato Hyperpure’s premises in Ghevra, officials found expired Coke Diet and Nestle Shikanji products. Unhygienic conditions were also recorded. At Zepto Limited’s premises in Jheel Khureja, shortcomings were found in maintaining the prescribed cold-storage temperature. Cockroaches and spider webs were also found. The racks were dirty and rusted, food products were stored on top of spoiled products, the wall surfaces were peeling, and some food items were kept directly on the floor.
At Blink Commerce Private Limited’s premises on Asaf Ali Road and in Daryaganj, dirty crates and dust in food storage areas were found. Rat traps had not been placed at appropriate locations, and their number was also inadequate. At the Rohini store, no arrangement was found to segregate food items to prevent the risk of contamination from one product to another. According to the Food Safety Department, food samples were also collected during the inspections, and improvement notices were issued to the establishments concerned, directing them to address the deficiencies.
59 Desi Ghee Samples Tested, 19 Found Unsafe and Four Failed to Meet Standards
The Food Safety Department collected a total of 59 samples of different brands of desi ghee from markets across Delhi. These included markets in Naharpur, Posangipur, Laxmi Nagar, Preet Vihar, Rampura, Tagore Garden, Kalyanpuri, Krishna Vihar and Kondli. Testing found 19 samples to be unsafe for human consumption, while four failed to meet the prescribed standards. More than 42% of the total samples did not meet the standards.
The brands whose samples were declared unsafe for human consumption include Haryana Lite, Haryana Supreme, Haryana Dairy, Haryana Pure, Shree Haryana King, Shree Haryana Foods, Kartar, Prabhas, Madhu Sangam, Radha Krishna, New Punjab Super Brand, Akshara, Anand Gold, Shree Nandan, Shree Mohan and Shree Krishna.
The department classified samples of Nova, Govardhan Pure Cow Ghee and Pratap Desi Ghee as substandard. According to the department, orders have been issued to shut down establishments selling unsafe ghee, and their licences have been suspended.
No Compromise on the Health of Delhiites
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has made it clear that compromising on food quality or endangering people’s health through adulteration is unacceptable under any circumstances. The health and safety of Delhiites will not be compromised. The Food Safety Department has been directed to tighten monitoring of markets, food storage facilities and establishments supplying food products through online platforms. Action must be taken in accordance with the rules wherever food safety standards are violated. The government’s objective is not merely to identify deficiencies, but to ensure a system in which every family in Delhi has access to safe and quality food. Protecting public health and ensuring accountability in the food trade remain government priorities.
