Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has described food adulteration and the illegal trade of counterfeit medicines as a serious social crime, stressing that such offences directly threaten public health and must not be tolerated under any circumstances.
While chairing a high-level review meeting of the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA), the Chief Minister directed officials to take strict and decisive action against food adulterators, fake medicine rackets, and all individuals involved in such unlawful activities, in line with the state government’s zero-tolerance policy.
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Display Photos of Offenders at Public Places
In a strong message against food adulteration, CM Yogi instructed officials to publicly identify those involved in such crimes. He suggested that photographs of convicted or identified adulterators should be displayed at major public intersections and crossroads, enabling citizens to recognize them and creating a strong negative social deterrent against such offences.
According to the Chief Minister, social accountability can play a crucial role in discouraging criminal activities that endanger public health.
Focus on Quality Checks at Manufacturing Units
The Chief Minister directed the Food Safety and Drug Administration to strengthen inspections of commonly consumed food products such as edible oil, ghee, spices, milk, and paneer. He instructed that inspections and sample testing should, as far as possible, be conducted directly at manufacturing and production units rather than only in markets.
Special emphasis was placed on milk and dairy products, with directions to constitute dedicated inspection teams that will continuously monitor production, transportation, and distribution to prevent adulteration.
Dedicated Teams for Dairy Product Monitoring
Recognising the widespread consumption of dairy products, CM Yogi called for intensive surveillance of milk and milk-based products. Food Adulteration Dedicated teams will conduct regular inspections and quality assessments to ensure that consumers receive safe and uncontaminated products.
He also instructed officials to identify professional blood donors and establish effective mechanisms to regulate and control such practices, considering the associated public health concerns.
Crackdown on Counterfeit Medicines
The Chief Minister emphasized the need for stronger enforcement against the illegal trade of counterfeit medicines. He instructed the Food Safety and Drug Administration to improve coordination with the police department so that enforcement operations become more efficient and effective.
The meeting also reviewed ongoing measures to ensure the quality, safety, and authenticity of medicines available in the state.
Expansion of Food and Drug Testing Infrastructure
Officials informed the Chief Minister that Uttar Pradesh has significantly expanded its network of food and drug testing laboratories.
Earlier, laboratories were operational only in six major divisions. However, new laboratories and offices have now been established in several additional divisions, including:
- Aligarh
- Ayodhya
- Azamgarh
- Bareilly
- Basti
- Chitrakoot
- Kanpur
- Mirzapur
- Moradabad
- Prayagraj
- Saharanpur
- Devipatan
This expansion is expected to strengthen food safety monitoring and improve testing capacity across the state.
Modernisation of Existing Laboratories
The Chief Minister was also informed that laboratory buildings in Lucknow, Gorakhpur, and Jhansi have been upgraded with improved Food Adulteration infrastructure and advanced testing facilities.
Additionally, three state-of-the-art microbiology laboratories have been established in Lucknow, Meerut, and Varanasi.
These modern laboratories are capable of detecting:
- Harmful microorganisms
- Protozoa
- Viruses
- Bacteria
- Mycotoxins
- Other disease-causing pathogens
Testing operations have already commenced successfully in the laboratories located in Lucknow and Meerut, enhancing the state’s capacity to detect contaminated food products and unsafe medicines at an early stage.
Proposal for a Dedicated Corpus Fund
To ensure the smooth functioning and long-term maintenance of these advanced laboratories, CM Yogi Adityanath proposed the establishment of a dedicated corpus fund. Such a fund would help maintain laboratory infrastructure, procure modern equipment, and support continuous upgrades in testing technology.
Government Reaffirms Zero-Tolerance Policy
Reiterating the state’s commitment to protecting public health, the Chief Minister emphasized that adulteration of food products and the circulation of counterfeit medicines are not merely legal violations but serious crimes against society.
He directed all concerned departments to strengthen surveillance, improve inter-agency coordination, enhance laboratory capabilities, and ensure strict enforcement so that consumers receive safe food and genuine medicines.
The meeting concluded with a strong commitment from the Uttar Pradesh Government to continue expanding food safety infrastructure and implementing stringent measures against those who compromise public health through adulteration and fake pharmaceutical products.
