Ahead of the Christmas festivities, the food safety department in Gautam Buddh Nagar district has launched a stringent inspection drive targeting bakeries, cake shops, and food manufacturing units. The initiative aims to ensure strict adherence to hygiene and food safety standards during the peak festive season.
Widespread Inspections Across Noida and Greater Noida
Food safety teams conducted rigorous checks at multiple locations across Noida and Greater Noida on Monday and Tuesday this week. The drive is focused on verifying compliance with regulations set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
On Monday, officials collected a total of seven food samples from various establishments for laboratory analysis. The samples included apple pastry and blueberry cake from a bakery located in Jagat Farm, Greater Noida. From a cake manufacturing unit in Sector 83, Noida, inspectors took samples of cocoa powder and red velvet cake.
Further samples were collected from the Aranya Market area in Sector 119. These included a black forest cake sample from a dessert outlet and a red walnut cake sample from a nearby manufacturing unit. Another inspection at Harveer Market on University Road resulted in the collection of a butterscotch cake sample.
Second Day of Sampling and Key Compliance Directives
The inspection campaign continued on Tuesday, with teams gathering five more samples. In Sector 63, Noida, cocoa powder was sampled from a unit. A bakery in Sector 76 provided a strawberry cake sample for testing.
In Greater Noida West, officials collected a chicken roll sample from a food outlet operating within a mall. Additionally, from a food manufacturing unit in Alpha 2, Greater Noida, samples of red velvet cake premix and strawberry fruit jelly were taken for analysis.
Officials Emphasize Labelling and Hygiene Norms
Assistant Commissioner of Food, Sarvesh Mishra, outlined the critical requirements for bakeries during this period. He stressed that all packaged bakery items must have complete and accurate labelling. This includes:
- The product name and a full list of ingredients.
- The net quantity, manufacturing date, and best-before period.
- The batch number and FSSAI license details.
- Clear allergen information (like wheat, milk, eggs, nuts).
- The appropriate vegetarian or non-vegetarian symbol.
Mishra added that branding or health claims on products must not be misleading. The inspections also thoroughly assess the general hygiene, storage conditions, and overall sanitation within the bakery and manufacturing units.
The collected samples have been sent to accredited laboratories for testing. The results will determine if any action is required against establishments found violating food safety norms. This pre-Christmas drive underscores the department's commitment to safeguarding public health during times of high consumer demand.
