Report

To curb food adulteration, G Kamala Vardhana Rao, CEO of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), instructed Rajasthan officials to conduct regular sampling of commonly consumed food items and ensure quick disposal of related cases. He gave these directives during a high-level review meeting with state food safety officials in Jaipur on Wednesday. Rao instructed officials to collect samples of ghee, milk, paneer, and spices regularly and dispose of cases promptly. He also directed them to clear all pending adjudications within the 90-day deadline mandated under the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006.

Push for Food Safety Lab in Bikaner

During the review, Rao directed officials to speed up the establishment of a Food Safety Laboratory in Bikaner and assured that FSSAI would provide full support to operationalise the facility. This lab will significantly enhance testing and analytical capacity in western Rajasthan. The FSSAI chief also reviewed vacancies in the Food Safety Officer (FSO) cadre across the state and urged officials to fill these posts without delay to ensure stronger enforcement and regular inspections. Rajasthan Food Safety Commissioner H. Guite presented an overview of the state’s food safety measures, upcoming campaigns—especially during the festive season—and awareness drives. He highlighted proactive steps being taken to promote food safety at the grassroots level.

Meeting Ends with Pledge for Stronger Coordination

Senior FSSAI officials, including Satyen Kumar Panda, Executive Director of the Regulatory Compliance Division, and Director Rakesh Kumar, provided strategic guidance during the meeting. Additional District Magistrates, Chief Medical and Health Officers, and Food Safety Officers from across the state also participated. The meeting concluded with a joint resolve by central and state authorities to strengthen coordination, increase surveillance, and enforce food safety regulations rigorously across Rajasthan.

Source: CNBCTV18