During a high-level review meeting of the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) Department, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath issued strict orders to display photos of those involved in food adulteration and fake drug manufacturing at major intersections across Uttar Pradesh. He instructed that everyday consumables like oil, ghee, spices, milk, and paneer should be tested preferably at the production site itself.
He emphasised that those involved in adulteration and counterfeit drug trade should be publicly identified, and their photos should be displayed prominently in public areas so that people can recognise them and a strong message is sent across society.
Chief Minister Yogi termed food adulteration and the sale of fake medicines as social crimes, stating that they directly affect public health and must not be tolerated under any circumstances. He directed officials to take strict action against those involved in such networks and crimes. Public identification, he said, would help in spreading awareness and act as a deterrent.
In the meeting held on Wednesday, the CM again stressed the need for quality checks at the manufacturing stage for daily-use food products. He also called for the formation of dedicated teams for intensive monitoring of milk and dairy products. Moreover, he instructed that professional blood donors be identified and regulated effectively. According to him, public health is the top priority for the state government and should be addressed with full transparency and commitment.
Officials informed the Chief Minister that the state has significantly expanded its network of food and drug laboratories. In addition to the earlier six divisions, new laboratories and offices have been established in Aligarh, Ayodhya, Azamgarh, Bareilly, Basti, Chitrakoot, Kanpur, Mirzapur, Moradabad, Prayagraj, Saharanpur, and Devipatan. Laboratory infrastructure in Lucknow, Gorakhpur, and Jhansi has also been upgraded.
Three advanced microbiology laboratories have been set up in Lucknow, Meerut, and Varanasi, enabling the testing of microbes, protozoa, viruses, bacteria, mycotoxins, and other pathogens. Testing has already started in Lucknow and Meerut. The CM suggested setting up a corpus fund to ensure the smooth operation and maintenance of these laboratories.
To control the trade of counterfeit medicines more effectively, CM Yogi directed enhanced coordination between the police and FSDA so that enforcement actions could be more impactful. The review also assessed ongoing efforts to ensure the quality of pharmaceuticals.
Ensuring Confidentiality and Fairness
To make the food safety process more transparent and accountable, the FSDA has implemented a password-protected barcode system that safeguards the confidentiality and impartiality of sample analysis. Each sample is digitally tested by scientists and approved by senior officials before results are validated.
To encourage public participation, the department has launched a mobile app named ‘Food Safety Connect’ and a toll-free helpline: 1800-180-5533. The CM instructed that complaint resolution should only be considered complete if the complainant is fully satisfied.
Officials also informed the Chief Minister that over the past three years, investment proposals worth ₹1,470 crore have been approved, leading to the creation of over 3,340 direct jobs. There has been a remarkable rise in pharmaceutical manufacturing units, medical device manufacturing, blood banks, and retail medicine outlets. Notably, retail drug establishments alone have generated over 65,000 new jobs in the last three years.
The Chief Minister instructed officials to strengthen FSDA’s organisational capacity and begin recruitment processes to fill all vacant posts promptly.
