FSDA Raid in Lucknow: 100 kg Expired Soanpapdi Recovered from Haldiram Storage Before Holi.

Lucknow, February 27, 2026 — In a major food safety action ahead of the festival of Holi, authorities have recovered over 1 quintal (112 kg) of expired soanpapdi and other sweets from a storage facility linked to the popular brand Haldiram’s in Lucknow. Officials said the food items, which were past their expiry date, were seized and destroyed on the spot to prevent their circulation in the market.

The raid was conducted by the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) as part of an intensified crackdown on adulteration and unsafe food products in the run-up to Holi, when demand for sweets and festive items surges. The department’s team carried out inspections across multiple warehouses, cold storages, and food outlets in the city.

SHOCKER 🚨 1 Quintal of expired Soanpapdi recovered from Haldiram's warehouse in Lucknow ahead of Holi. [Dainik Bhaskar] pic.twitter.com/WBLq55snJQ

— News Algebra (@NewsAlgebraIND) February 27, 2026

During the operation at the Faizullaganj warehouse, inspectors found soanpapdi and rajbhog stock that had exceeded its permissible consumption period. The total value of the seized goods was estimated at around ₹45,000. All expired products were ordered to be destroyed immediately under official supervision to ensure they would not reach consumers.

In addition to the sweets, FSDA teams confiscated over 10,415 kg of fake spices, dairy products like khoya, and other adulterated food items from various locations in Lucknow, with a combined market value of nearly ₹56 lakh. Samples of several food products including peeda, rasgulla, and gujiya were also taken for laboratory testing to confirm their quality and safety.

Public Health and Safety Concerns

Food safety officials have warned traders and consumers alike to be vigilant about expiry dates on packaged foods, especially during festive seasons when unscrupulous sellers may try to push old or substandard products into the market. Authorities reiterated that consuming expired or adulterated foods can pose serious health risks, including digestive issues and foodborne illnesses.

The FSDA has also launched public awareness campaigns under the “Food Safety On Wheels” initiative, educating people about identifying unsafe food products and encouraging them to report suspicious or expired goods to authorities.

Ongoing Enforcement Ahead of Holi

The Lucknow action is part of a broader enforcement effort across Uttar Pradesh and neighboring states, aimed at curbing food adulteration ahead of Holi and Ramadan. In recent days, food safety authorities have seized thousands of kilograms of adulterated paneer, khoya, packaged food items, colored kachori, and oils — often destroying them on the spot and sending samples for lab analysis.