In a significant crackdown ahead of the Hindu festival Holi and the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the food safety department in Kanpur, India has initiated a campaign against food adulterators. The operation resulted in the seizure of expired dates valued at around 5 million INR, as well as the destruction of large quantities of adulterated khoya and betel nut found on-site. The enforcement actions have caused panic among food entrepreneurs in the city.

The demand for food items rises sharply during festival seasons, which encourages some unscrupulous business operators to attempt to sell substandard and expired products. In response, the food safety and drug administration department has launched a special campaign throughout the city. This operation included a raid on a wholesale dealer's warehouse in the Fazalganj area, where substantial amounts of spoiled food items were discovered.

During the investigation, officials uncovered approximately 10,000 kilograms of dates, which had expired several years prior, highlighting ongoing issues with food safety and the risks consumers face during festive periods. The actions taken by Kanpur’s authorities reflect a necessary vigilance in maintaining food safety standards, especially during times of increased demand associated with community celebrations.