Crackdown on Food Fraud and Fake Medicines: CM Yogi Orders Public Naming of Offenders

In a strong move to protect public health, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered strict action against the perpetrators of food adulteration and fake medicines. Emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy, the CM has ordered officials to display the pictures of the perpetrators at major city intersections to deter others.

Leading a high-level review meeting with the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) on Wednesday, Adityanath re-emphasized the urgent need to stop such illegal operations, terming them a "serious health hazard and social crime".

Offenders' Photos to Be Displayed in Public Areas

Emphasizing transparency and consciousness among individuals, the Chief Minister directed the authorities not only to arrest the culprits but also to make public their names by exposing them to public display. He further said that those who tamper with public health would be dealt with an iron hand. Their identity should be revealed.

Special Teams to Target Dairy Product Adulteration

For safe food consumption, Adityanath insisted on establishing special inspection teams for regular examination of milk and milk products. Surprise checks and round-the-clock surveillance will be done by the teams to catch the culprits in the act.

State Expands Food and Drug Testing Infrastructure

The review meeting also included reports on the expansion of the food and drug lab network of the state. Apart from the existing six divisions, new test labs and administrative offices have been launched at Aligarh, Ayodhya, Azamgarh, Bareilly, Basti, Chitrakoot, Kanpur, Mirzapur, Moradabad, Prayagraj, Saharanpur, and Devi Patan. 

Lucknow, Gorakhpur, and Jhansi testing labs have also been upgraded to enhance the quality and efficiency of testing.

New microbiology labs to enhance detection power.

To take food safety further, three new microbiology labs have been opened in Lucknow, Meerut, and Varanasi. They are capable of detecting an enormous range of microorganisms and harmful pathogens. Testing has already been initiated in Lucknow and Meerut, and will be initiated soon in Varanasi.

Funding corpus proposed for sound lab operations

For the effective maintenance and operation of these vital centers, Adityanath proposed the creation of a separate fund. The corpus will ensure the continuity of the labs and bring them up-to-date with rising public health needs.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Muhammad Faisal Arshad/MSM)