Report

During the current Parliament session, the Union government disclosed that 8.3% of food samples tested in Gujarat this year did not meet food safety standards. Between April and September, authorities examined 4,316 samples, with 360 failing quality inspections. Over the last three years, Gujarat reported significant numbers of food safety violations. Inspectors found 824, 978, and 910 samples failing to meet quality standards in 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24, respectively, according to government data presented in Parliament.

The issue came to light after Bharuch MP Mansukh Vasava sought information on adulteration levels in food items nationwide. He also inquired about measures to penalize those tampering with essential consumables like milk, cooking oil, vegetables, and sweets.

Role of FSSAI in Ensuring Safe Food Safety

Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav, emphasized that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) works to enforce strict food safety measures. He added that state governments, including Gujarat, regularly conduct raids to prevent adulteration and ensure compliance with safety norms. The findings highlight the need for stricter enforcement of food safety regulations in Gujarat to protect public health.

Source: The Times of India