Food adulteration has become widespread in India, posing a significant challenge to today’s society despite government efforts to maintain food quality standards. A wide range of products is susceptible to adulteration, including everyday staples like rice, soy, and wheat, dairy products such as ghee, milk, and butter, popular beverages, and even spices.
This deceiving practice not only compromises the health and well-being of customers but also contests the honesty and integrity of the food sector. Such findings have heightened the urgency to tackle food safety problems.
Regulatory and Enforcement Actions
Recently, FSSAI has directed state commissioners of food safety and regional directors to ensure safe and wholesome food for consumers. The central food regulator emphasizes the importance of enforcement sampling of food products across the country. If food is found unsafe according to the provisions of the FSS Act, 2006, it must be prohibited for sale or recalled from the food supply chain to protect consumers.
State authorities are required to take legal action if food samples fail the primary test. This includes banning the sale of unsafe food and recalling such items from the market. If the food samples lifted are deemed unsafe by the Primary Food Laboratory test, state authorities have the power to prohibit their sale. They can also recommend to the FSSAI CEO or the Commissioner of Food Safety to direct food business operators to recall the implicated products.
FSSAI is taking stringent actions against such incidents. For instance, in a recent case, FSSAI suspended the license of Dairy after a hazardous contaminant was found in the ice cream. Chapter IX of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 elucidates general provisions relating to offences and penalties varying based on the severity of the violation.
Subsequently, The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched several initiatives to control food adulteration and ensure the integrity of the food supply chain, demonstrating its commitment to public health.
FSSAI’s Key Initiatives to Combat Food Adulteration
Initiative 1: Detect Adulteration with Rapid Test (DART) Book
FSSAI has introduced the “Detect Adulteration with Rapid Test (DART) Book” on its website. This guide helps consumers identify common food adulterants in household items. It contains 50 quick tests for various food categories, including milk, oil, sugar, and spices. The tests come with simple instructions and pictorial representations to enhance understanding. These initiatives aim to empower consumers, increase surveillance, and raise awareness about food safety nationwide.
Initiative 2: Food Safety on Wheels (FSW)
FSSAI has also launched the “Food Safety on Wheels” (FSW) initiative, featuring mobile food testing laboratories. These vehicles are equipped with essential infrastructure for on-the-spot qualitative testing. They will travel to public gatherings, schools, remote areas, and consumer organizations, conducting quick tests for specific adulterants in commonly consumed food items like ghee, milk, sweets, and spices.
Initiative 3: Food Safety Magic Box
Additionally, FSSAI has developed a food safety testing kit for school children, known as the “Food Safety Magic Box.” This portable kit includes a guidebook that allows students to perform over 100 simple tests to detect contamination in various food products. This initiative aims to foster awareness and promote responsible consumer behavior from a young age.
Conclusion
The increasing incidents of food adulteration in India underscore the critical need for stringent food safety measures. FSSAI’s initiatives, such as the DART Book, Food Safety on Wheels, and the Food Safety Magic Box, are commendable steps towards empowering consumers and enhancing food safety surveillance. The regulatory measures and enforcement actions by FSSAI highlight the importance of ensuring that unsafe food products are promptly removed from the market, thereby safeguarding public health and maintaining the integrity of the food supply chain.
