Inactive testing van, staff shortage hamper food safety in Faridabad

Food sampling in Faridabad has slowed significantly due to a shortage of regular staff and an inactive mobile testing van, which has been out of service for nearly two years. This has impacted the rate and effectiveness of sampling, raising concerns about the quality of food items sold in the district, especially during the festive season, when the sale of sweets surges.

Since January, the department has collected 163 samples, with 20 per cent of the 120 samples tested failing to meet food standards. However, only three to four samples have been collected in the past 10 days, despite the peak festive season. Sources in the district administration believe that sampling now may be of limited use, as test results will likely be available only after Diwali, when most sweets have already been consumed.

Varun Sheokand, who previously filed a PIL on food safety, stressed, “The department should ensure sampling well in advance, three to four weeks before the festive season, to check adulteration at the preparation stage.”

The mobile testing van, designed for on-the-spot checks, has remained inactive for two years, leaving officials dependent on the state lab in Panchkula, which takes two weeks to provide results. Staff shortages have further compounded the issue; Faridabad's regular Food Safety Officer (FSO) role has been filled on an additional charge basis by the FSO from Sonepat, who already oversees two other districts. A similar situation exists in Palwal, where the Jhajjar FSO has been handling additional duties due to a longstanding vacancy.

Birender Yadav, who currently holds the additional FSO charge in Faridabad, stated, “Since I recently joined, my team has started a sampling drive, and we will take action against offenders as per the norms. The sampling van will be activated soon.”