Licenses of 112 Food Establishments Suspended; 86 Get Relief After Rectifying Deficiencies
Department's Action Aims Not to Shut Down Businesses but to Ensure Compliance with Food Safety Standards
On Commissioner's Directive, Regular Enforcement Action Deferred Till November 15 in View of Festivals; Awareness and Improvement Campaign to Continue
Lucknow, November 2026: The 'Shuddh Hi Shubh Hai' campaign being run by the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) Department to ensure the quality, purity and safe availability of food items in the state has begun to show positive results. Under the campaign, action was taken against establishments that severely flouted food safety standards, while businesses that rectified their food safety and quality issues were also given an opportunity to restart operations. An example of this is that, of the 112 food establishments whose licenses had been suspended, the licenses of 86 have been restored after they addressed the deficiencies and departmental verification confirmed improvement. This proves that the department's intent is not limited to punitive action but also to motivate food business operators to work in accordance with prescribed standards.
Under this campaign, which began on September 17, a total of 3,035 inspections were conducted across the state up to November 5. Licenses of 112 food establishments were suspended, while 1,752 Improvement Notices were issued where correctable issues were found. In compliance with departmental directions, the suspension of licenses of 86 establishments that carried out the necessary improvements was revoked, and they were permitted to resume business. Thus, the campaign gives equal importance to improvement and compliance along with action.
Businesses Improve Their Practices, Emphasis on Compliance with Standards
During the campaign, food business operators were directed to follow the prescribed food safety standards across the entire process of manufacturing, storage and sale. Special emphasis was laid on cleanliness in establishments, safe storage of food items, quality of raw materials, hygiene in the production process, and the use of permissible food ingredients and additives in the prescribed quantities. Operators were encouraged to identify issues in their practices, rectify them, and deliver safe food products to consumers. As examples, in Lucknow, establishments such as Bikanervala, Champaran, Moti Mahal Deluxe, Club Jalwa and Rebel Foods made the necessary improvements and obtained permission to resume business. The objective of this department initiative is to bring the food business into an orderly state in line with regulations and to develop a work culture in which quality and hygiene become an essential part of business. The 86 establishments whose licenses were restored are an example of how, after departmental action, operators took steps toward improvement and ensured compliance with the prescribed standards.
Campaign's Aim Is Improvement and Cooperation, Not Harassment
According to Dr. Roshan Jacob, Secretary and Commissioner of the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department, the objective of the 'Shuddh Hi Shubh Hai' campaign is not to harass any food business operator or shut down their business. The department wants every person associated with the food business in the state to follow the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act and the prescribed standards. She said that the restoration of licenses of 86 establishments after rectification of deficiencies is a positive outcome of the campaign. These establishments made the necessary improvements in their practices, and were permitted to resume business after being found compliant with standards in departmental testing and verification.
She clarified that the department favors giving opportunities for improvement, but no leniency will be shown toward those who deliberately adulterate food items, use banned chemicals, or play with public health. In such serious cases, three FIRs have been registered during the campaign. In addition, in cases of rule violations and substandard food items, approximately 55.60 quintals of food material have been seized, with an estimated value of Rs 1.41 crore.
All Major Sectors of the Food Business Brought Under the Campaign's Ambit
Giving the campaign a broad scope, nearly all major sectors connected with consumers' daily lives and the food supply chain have been included. These include fast food chains, restaurants, food courts, manufacturing and sales establishments of health supplements and nutraceuticals, catering units of railway and air services, flight kitchens, base kitchens, warehouses, and canteens and eateries of government hospitals and medical colleges.
Along with this, establishments manufacturing and selling milk and dairy products, paneer, khoya, sweets, fruits and other seasonal food items have also been included in the campaign. Dark stores, warehouses and distribution centers connected with online food delivery are also being monitored. In view of festivals like Deepawali, special attention has been given to sweet manufacturing units, retail stores and temporary sweet-making units, so that consumers get safe and quality food items even during the festive season.
Regular Enforcement Action Deferred Till November 15, Awareness Campaign to Continue
In view of Deepawali and other festivals, Commissioner Dr. Roshan Jacob has directed that regular enforcement action be deferred till November 15, offering relief to food business operators. Necessary guidelines have also been issued for the state's food business operators in this regard. However, the 'Shuddh Hi Shubh Hai' campaign will continue during this period. The department's focus will be on informing food business operators about the prescribed standards, motivating them to improve their practices, and increasing awareness about a safe food system.
Emphasis on Awareness and Consumer Participation
To make food business operators and consumers aware, the department is periodically releasing guidance, guidelines and awareness material through print and social media. Under this, operators are being informed about the ingredients used in food items, permissible food additives, their prescribed use, maximum permissible limits, and standards related to hygiene and storage. Meanwhile, consumers are being made aware of the quality of food items, their safe use, and the necessary precautions to be taken while shopping. The objective is also to increase the active participation of consumers in ensuring food safety.
According to the department, a safe food system cannot be ensured through government action alone. For this, the shared responsibility and active participation of the administration, food business operators and consumers are essential.
