253 establishments inspected, 152 given improvement notices, licenses of 56 restored after shortcomings were fixed
Expired food items, rats and cockroaches, dirty kitchens and negligence in cleanliness found; consumer interest is paramount
FSDA takes a strict stand on kitchen filth, poor storage and negligence in hygiene
Business halted in serious cases; warning of license cancellation if expired food items are found again
Emphasis on transparency in online food too; information on frozen and pre-cooked food must be provided
'Hookah bar' cannot be mentioned in a food license; directions issued for necessary amendments to licenses
Consumer interest is paramount; those who improve are given another chance to do business, along with strictness
Lucknow, October 2026 : To provide safe and clean food to people in the state, the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA)'s 'Shuddh Hi Shubh Hai' campaign continues without a break. Under this campaign, which began on 17 September 2026, food businesses and establishments are being inspected in different districts of the state. So far, 253 food establishments have been inspected. Of these, licenses of 73 establishments have been suspended after serious shortcomings were found, while improvement notices have been issued to 152 establishments for correctable shortcomings.
Along with action, importance is also being given to improvement in the campaign. Establishments whose licenses were suspended, and which fixed their shortcomings and gave proof of it to the department, were re-inspected. When the improvements were found to be genuine, licenses of 56 establishments have so far been restored and they have been permitted to resume business.
This campaign is being run in many districts of the state, including Lucknow, Kanpur, Ghaziabad, Noida, Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Moradabad and Bareilly. Various types of food establishments, including fast food chains, restaurant chains, general restaurants, restaurants in star hotels and bakeries, have been brought under inspection.
Expired items found in some places, rats and cockroaches in others
During the inspections, many shortcomings related to food safety and cleanliness came to light. Expired food items were found stored in some establishments. In many places, there was evidence of pests such as rats and cockroaches. Filth was found in the kitchens and storage areas of many establishments. Arrangements for protection against pests were not adequate, and drain-cleaning arrangements were also not satisfactory in many places. Shortcomings were also found in the personal hygiene of staff preparing food. In addition, there were cases of negligence in storing and handling food items properly, and of necessary food safety documents not being available. The department took action according to the seriousness of the shortcomings. For shortcomings that could be fixed through improvement, 152 improvement notices were issued. Meanwhile, where serious food safety issues were found, licenses of 73 establishments were suspended and their operations were stopped.
License suspended, but a chance to improve was also given
Along with suspending licenses on finding serious shortcomings, the department also gave the establishments concerned a chance to improve. The establishments were directed to fix the issues such as those in the kitchen, storage, cleanliness, protection against pests and safe arrangements for food items. After making improvements, the establishments provided photos, videos and necessary certificates to the department. After this, the team of the concerned district visited the site and inspected again. In the re-inspection, it was checked whether the improvement had been made only on paper or whether the actual condition of the establishment had changed. After the inspection, the report was sent to headquarters. After the report was examined at the headquarters level, licenses were restored and permission to do business again was granted where the improvement was found satisfactory. So far, licenses of 56 establishments have been restored. Improvements in arrangements related to the kitchen, storage, cleanliness and food safety have also been seen in the photographs from before the inspection and after the improvement. Establishments that have not yet fixed their shortcomings are in the process of improvement.
Strict action if expired food items are found again
The department has been especially strict in cases where expired food items were found. Along with taking action against the establishments concerned, a written assurance has also been taken from them. It has been made clear to them that if expired food items are found again in the future, strict action under the rules, including cancellation of the license, will be taken. The aim of this is to make businesses responsible for ensuring that food items are checked and their expiry dates are continuously monitored.
Customers buying food online will get complete information
In the 'Shuddh Hi Shubh Hai' campaign, emphasis is being placed not only on the cleanliness of shops and restaurants but also on giving consumers correct information. The department is ensuring that customers are given clear information about frozen, pre-cooked and partially cooked food sold on online platforms. If a food item is already frozen, already cooked or half-cooked and is being sold on an online platform as ready-to-eat food, the customer should be informed of this. This way, the customer will know what kind of food item they are buying and will be able to decide according to their preference.
In Aliganj, Lucknow, emphasis is also being placed on clearly providing this information regarding frozen and pre-cooked/partially cooked food products sold through online platforms in units such as Rebel Foods (EatSure).
'Hookah bar' cannot be written in food licenses
The department has also made its stand clear regarding the activities recorded in the licenses of food establishments. According to the department, hookah or hookah bar does not come under the category of food business. Therefore, words like 'hookah bar' should not appear in a food license or registration. Food businesses whose licenses have this term recorded will have to get the necessary changes made and remove it. The department says that only a business that is actually related to food business should be recorded in a food license.
Guidelines issued for restaurants
FSDA has also issued SOPs and guidelines for compliance with food safety rules in the restaurant business. These emphasize kitchen cleanliness, safe handling of food items, personal hygiene of employees, protection against pests and other necessary food safety standards. The department's effort is that food businesses should not follow the rules only at the time of the department's inspection, but should also check these standards on their own every day. The department has adopted a strict stance on food safety, but the aim of the campaign is not merely to shut down establishments. In the campaign, equal importance is being given to improvement along with action. The department's main objective is to strengthen food safety standards in the state and to provide consumers with safe, clean and quality food items.
These major establishments made improvements
Under the campaign, many of the establishments in which shortcomings related to cleanliness and quality were found have made significant improvements in their arrangements. These include establishments such as Bikanerwala, Champaran Meat, Club Jalwa, Rebel Foods, Tunday Kababi, New Krishna Bhojanalaya, Ramada Hotel and La Pino'z Pizza. These establishments fixed the shortcomings related to kitchen cleanliness, storage and quality of food items, and provided proof of improvement to the department.
On finding the situation satisfactory in the re-inspection, FSDA has granted them permission to resume operations. Along with the permission to operate, an undertaking has also been taken from these establishments. In it, the have assured that they will fully comply with quality, cleanliness and other SOPs in the future. The food safety department's team will re-inspect these establishments from time to time so that the improvement remains lasting.
