The Government of Uttarakhand informed the state assembly that 524 out of 4,909 food samples collected over the past three financial years were found to be substandard, unsafe or misbranded.
The issue of food adulteration was raised during Question Hour, with a BJP MLA pointing out that vacant posts of Food Safety Officers were hampering effective action against adulteration.
Health minister Dhan Singh Rawat said the FDA conducts inspections and collects samples based on suspicion, and cases are filed in competent courts for legal action against substandard or misbranded samples.
In 2023–24, 171 out of 1,627 samples were found substandard, unsafe or misbranded, while in 2024–25, 159 out of 1,684 samples were found to be substandard, unsafe or misbranded.
In 2025–26, 194 out of 1,598 samples have been found substandard, unsafe or misbranded, with 9 senior food safety officer posts vacant and 28 Food Safety Officer posts awaiting direct recruitment.
A Food Analysis Laboratory is being established in Dehradun, with analysis of food samples proposed to begin by March 31.
