The Uttar Pradesh Food Safety and Drug Administration (UP FSDA) has reported significant food safety violations following inspections of various catering units. On Thursday, the agency announced the closure of a railway catering base kitchen located in Lucknow due to the presence of rodents and severely unhygienic conditions. Additionally, during a statewide operation, officials seized 978 kg of unlabeled rice crumbs from a catering establishment in Kanpur.

This action was part of the UP FSDA’s ongoing ‘Shuddh Hi Shubh’ campaign, which aims to ensure food safety across the state. The campaign involved inspections of 43 catering units, comprising 41 railway-related establishments and two airline catering units.

In Kanpur Nagar, the seized rice crumbs were found stored without proper labelling, manufacturing dates, or use-by dates. The department has stated that the material will remain in the custody of the food business operator while further actions are determined.

Inspection Findings and Deficiencies Reported

UP FSDA officials discovered deficiencies in 30 out of the 41 railway catering units inspected across 11 districts. The issues identified included inadequate cleanliness, missing reports on drinking water testing, lack of employee health certificates, and insufficient pest-control records. These findings raise serious concerns regarding the overall hygiene and safety standards maintained by these catering units.

The agency also initiated proceedings to cancel the food registration of a catering establishment in Saharanpur after uncovering that food items were being prepared and stored in unhygienic conditions. This highlights the agency’s commitment to enforcing food safety regulations and ensuring compliance among food service providers.

In addition to the closures and seizures, officials collected 26 statutory food samples for laboratory testing. These samples will be analysed to assess their safety and compliance with food safety standards. The inspections at catering units supplying food to airports in Lucknow and Varanasi revealed further violations, including employees working without masks and shoe covers, missing records, and labelling deficiencies.

Focus on Hygiene and Compliance Measures

UP FSDA Commissioner Roshan Jacob emphasised that the drive concentrated on various aspects of food safety, including hygiene, food storage practices, water quality, pest control measures, employee practices, and the use of food-grade packaging. The agency has issued improvement notices to the units found lacking in these areas, urging them to rectify the identified issues promptly.

The inspections are part of a broader initiative by the UP FSDA to enhance food safety across the state, particularly in the catering sector. By identifying and addressing these lapses, the agency aims to protect public health and ensure that food served to the public meets established safety standards.

As the UP FSDA continues its inspections, it remains focused on holding food service providers accountable for maintaining hygiene and safety standards. The agency’s actions reflect a commitment to safeguarding consumer interests and promoting a culture of compliance within the food industry.

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