The urgency stems from the predictable seasonal spike in demand for sensitive products, primarily milk, milk products, and sweets. This increased volume creates fertile ground for “anti-social elements and some traders” to compromise quality, posing direct and severe risks to public health. Consequently, Minister Rao has specifically instructed all Health Department officials to conduct frequent surprise inspections throughout their respective jurisdictions to intercept and neutralize these illegal operations.

The surveillance effort is highly targeted, focusing heavily on critical points in the dairy supply chain and food service industry. Officials are directed to specifically monitor sweet shops, dairies, and factories producing packaged milk products, alongside other general food establishments. The mandate requires them to regularly collect samples of suspicious items and to proceed with full legal force against any vendor found guilty, ensuring zero leniency in enforcement.

The crackdown is already producing significant data, highlighting the scope of the adulteration problem. The Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration Department reported that between January 1 and August 31, 2025, the department collected a total of 1,289 food samples. While 987 samples were found to be compliant with quality standards, a concerning 302 samples failed analysis. Strict legal action is currently being pursued against the shopkeepers and vendors associated with these failed samples.