Gairsain: The Uttarakhand government on Thursday informed the state assembly that 524 out of 4,909 food samples collected (10.7%) for testing over the last three financial years (2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26 so far) were found to be substandard, unsafe or misbranded.
The issue of food fraud was raised during Question Hour on the fourth day of the budget session of the State Assembly in Jersey.
Brij Bhushan Girola, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Doiwala, said effective action against those who indulge in adulteration has been hampered due to vacancies of food safety officers in the Food and Drug Safety Administration (FDA).
Health Minister Dhan Singh Rawat said in a written reply that the FDA conducts inspections of operators of food companies and collects samples during inspections on the basis of suspicion from time to time.
The minister said: “After collecting the samples, cases are submitted to the competent courts to take legal action against the samples that are found to be substandard, unsafe, or of the wrong brand, based on the test report issued by the food analyst.”
He said that in 2023-24, a total of 1,627 samples were collected, of which 171 were found to be substandard, unsafe or misbranded. He said that from 2024 to 2025, 1,684 samples were collected, of which 159 were found to be substandard, unsafe, or misbranded. From 2025 to 2026 to date, a total of 1,598 samples have been collected, of which 194 were found to be substandard, unsafe or misbranded.
Regarding the vacant positions for food safety officials in the state, the minister said that there are 9 vacant positions for food safety officials at the Food and Drug Authority, and promotions are being prepared for them according to the regulations.
He added that an application has been sent to Uttarakhand Public Service Commission (UKPSC) for direct recruitment for 28 vacant posts of Food Safety Officer.
The minister also said that a food analysis laboratory is being set up in Dehradun and jobs have been created for the facility. He added: “It is proposed that analysis of food samples begin in the laboratory by March 31.”
