Though the food safety department carries out inspections and test samples regularly and intensifies the drive during the festivals, this is the first time such a pan-Delhi audit has been ordered.
The exercise will be completed by March 31 and include the inspection of every business dealing in milk and milk products, meat products, slaughterhouses, sweetshops, nutraceuticals, and other such products, including their manufacturing units. The audit of these establishments will be done by outside agencies empanelled by India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority, said an official.
According to officials, over 40 such empanelled agencies have the workforce and expertise required to carry out such audits.
“If any deficiency found, the establishments will be notified and given time for making amends. In the second round of visits, the audit team will verify that all the laid down food safety norms and guidelines are followed. If found lacking in observing these measures, a penalty will be imposed on the establishment concerned,” said an official.
The visit of audit teams would be a surprise with “no prior information being shared with the businesses,” said an official.
The audit exercise will start within this week, added the official.
The audit exercise will start within this week, added the official.
