As Haryana prepares for the upcoming festivals of Dussehra and Diwali, the district administration has sounded a high alert against “poisonous sweets.” Today’s major recovery in Jhajjar highlights the dark side of the festive food supply chain.
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The Surprise Raid: Acting on a confidential tip-off regarding the suspicious movement of milk tankers at odd hours, the Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) state wing, led by the local Food Safety Officer (FSO), raided a dairy facility located on the outskirts of the city.
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The “Recipe” of Deceit: Officials found that instead of traditional milk reduction, the facility was using a “shortcut” method. The 400 kg of recovered Khoya was a concoction of starch (to add weight), palm oil (for fat content), and sugar. “The texture was artificially enhanced to mimic high-quality buffalo milk khoya, but the smell and chemical residue were clear indicators of it being synthetic,” said an official at the site.
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Immediate Destruction: Unlike standard seizures where items are sealed, the highly perishable and clearly adulterated nature of the stock led the team to order immediate destruction. The 400 kg of yellowish, foul-smelling substance was crushed and buried to ensure it did not find its way back into the market.
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Mandi Distribution Network: Investigators believe this batch was destined for local confectioners in Jhajjar, Rohtak, and Bahadurgarh, where it would have been used as a base for burfis and gulab jamuns. The dairy owner reportedly supplied these at half the market rate, making it a lucrative option for unscrupulous sweet shop owners.
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Legal Fallout: The premises have been sealed, and the owner has been booked under various sections of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Authorities have warned that if the lab reports confirm the presence of harmful detergents or urea, more stringent criminal charges will follow.
Public Advisory: The Health Department has urged citizens to be vigilant while purchasing milk products this month. “If the Khoya feels excessively greasy or leaves a chemical aftertaste, report it immediately. Authentic Khoya should have a grainy texture and a distinct milky aroma,” the FSO advised.
