Officials dump adulterated sweets in dustbin; crowd takes them away

Meerut: Two videos that surfaced online from Hapur in Uttar Pradesh have sparked concern after showing food safety officials dumping allegedly adulterated and rotten sweets into a roadside dustbin following a raid at a local sweet shop.The first video purportedly shows officials of the food safety department discarding boxed sweets in full public view. Shortly after they left, another video emerged showing a crowd pulling the boxes out of the dustbin and taking them away.Sunil Kumar, assistant commissioner (food safety), confirmed that samples of mawa and paneer were collected during the raid and that the burfi was found to be adulterated and unsafe. He said the raid was conducted on Thursday by food inspectors RP Gupta and Sahrish Sadaat."As per protocol, unsafe or adulterated food seized during raids must be destroyed by burying it in a pit after digging the ground. However, the officials dumped the sweets in an open dustbin, which amounts to negligence," Kumar told TOI. He said that both officials have been asked to submit explanations and appropriate action will be taken.Kumar said the department has launched a special drive ahead of the festive season to ensure food safety and protect public health.