Navratri food crackdown: Kuttu, singhara atta, sendha namak, laddoos seized in FSSAI raids across Haridwar, Mau, Ghaziabad and other districts

As Navratri celebrations gather pace, authorities have stepped up food safety checks amid growing concerns over adulterated fasting products flooding local markets. With demand for vrat-friendly ingredients soaring, officials are warning consumers to stay cautious about what they buy and consume.

Recent enforcement drives across Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand have uncovered several cases of substandard and potentially unsafe food items, raising fresh questions around festive food safety.

Navratri Food Adulteration: Authorities Crack Down on Unsafe Products

Teams from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India and state food departments have been carrying out inspections at multiple locations.


In Haridwar, Uttarakhand, officials raided flour mills and collected samples of commonly used fasting ingredients such as kuttu (buckwheat) flour and singhara (water chestnut) flour. Several batches suspected to be unsafe were destroyed, while samples have been sent for laboratory testing.

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Adulterated Sweets Seized in Uttar Pradesh Raid

In a separate operation in Mau district, Uttar Pradesh, food safety teams inspected a sweet manufacturing unit. Large quantities of syrup-soaked sweets, including rasgullas and gulab jamuns, were found to be adulterated.

The products were immediately seized and destroyed, with further action being initiated against the operators under food safety regulations.

Ghaziabad Drive Targets Fasting Food Items

Authorities in Ghaziabad have intensified checks on food items typically consumed during Navratri fasts.

Items such as kuttu flour, sendha namak (rock salt), and falhari laddoos were seized during inspections. Around 20 samples were collected from various outlets, with several sent for detailed lab analysis to determine quality and safety standards.

Suspicious Paneer Consignment Destroyed on Highway

In another case, officials intercepted a consignment of suspected adulterated paneer along the Jhansi–Datia highway. After initial inspection, the batch was deemed unfit for consumption and destroyed, with samples dispatched for further testing.

Festive Season Food Safety: What Consumers Should Watch Out For

With festive demand peaking, experts are urging consumers to remain vigilant:

• Purchase food items from trusted and verified vendors
• Check packaging, labels and expiry dates carefully
• Avoid unusually cheap products, which may indicate compromised quality
• Report suspicious items to local food safety authorities

Navratri 2026: Rising Demand, Rising Risks

The surge in demand for vrat-specific foods during Navratri often leads to an influx of low-quality or adulterated products in the market.

While authorities continue to conduct raids and enforce regulations, consumer awareness remains a crucial line of defence against unsafe food practices.

Staying alert while shopping this festive season could make all the difference between a safe celebration and a health risk.

Inputs from agencies