Strengthening India's Food Safety Net: A Three-Year Journey

Over three years, India's food safety authorities, including FSSAI, analyzed over 5.18 lakh food samples, resulting in 88,192 cases with penalties, 3,614 convictions, and 1,161 license cancellations. Implementing a Risk-Based Inspection System, FSSAI enhances inspections, with 56,259 risk-based inspections and 305 Mobile Food Testing Labs across India.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has been proactively enhancing the country's food safety landscape. Between 2022-23 and 2024-25, over 5.18 lakh food samples were rigorously analyzed, leading to significant enforcement actions: 88,192 cases ended with penalties, 3,614 resulted in convictions, and 1,161 licenses were canceled, according to Minister of State for Health Prataprao Jadhav in a Rajya Sabha briefing.

To improve food safety compliance, FSSAI implemented a Risk-Based Inspection System (RBIS), allowing inspections based on the associated risk. Over three years, officials completed 56,259 risk-based inspections. Furthermore, FSSAI provided states with financial and technical support to bolster food safety infrastructure, including the upgrading of labs and deployment of 305 Mobile Food Testing Laboratories, known as 'Food Safety on Wheels', across the nation.

In their ongoing efforts, FSSAI notified 252 food testing labs and 24 Referral Food Laboratories to ensure stringent checks on food safety. These initiatives underscore FSSAI's commitment to maintaining high safety standards for India's diverse food ecosystem.

(With inputs from agencies.)