Report

Chandigarh’s rising rate of food adulteration has raised serious public health concerns despite the UT administration’s claims of effective food safety monitoring. In 2024–25, nearly 22% of milk-based products samples failed to meet food safety standards. During a recent Lok Sabha session, Prataprao Jadhav, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, revealed that milk product adulteration in Chandigarh has steadily increased over the past four years:

• 2021–22: 7.22%

• 2022–23: 13.53%

• 2023–24: 15.76%

• 2024–25: 22%

Officials tested 114 samples in 2024–25, and 24 failed to meet the prescribed standards. The previous year, 49 out of 311 samples failed. In 2022–23, 64 of 473 did not comply, and in 2021–22, 28 out of 388 failed the quality test.

FSSAI Regulates Food Safety, Initiates Action on Violations

Minister Jadhav stated that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), established in 2008 under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, sets science-based food standards and oversees the manufacturing, storage, distribution, sale, and import of food. When samples fail quality checks, FSSAI initiates penal action against the responsible food business operators (FBOs) under the Act, Rules, and Regulations. The Act contains provisions for penalizing misbranded, substandard, or unsafe food.

Health Department Takes Legal Action and Imposes Fines

Dr Suman Singh, Director of Health Services, confirmed that food inspectors receive specific targets to collect samples, including milk-based products. “When samples fail quality tests, we issue show-cause notices and file cases before the adjudicating officer,” she said. “We impose fines ranging from ₹30,000 to ₹2 lakh if the products are substandard.”

Public Criticizes Seasonal Enforcement

Baljinder Singh Bittu, Chairman of the Federation of Sectors Welfare Associations Chandigarh (FOSWAC), criticized the health department for conducting checks only during festivals. “In 2023, 20% of samples (10 out of 50) failed quality tests, and those cases remain under prosecution,” he added.

Surveillance and Legal Samples Serve Different Purposes

Officials clarified that they collect surveillance samples for monitoring and research, while legal samples serve as the basis for prosecution. In serious cases of adulteration, violators may face life imprisonment and/or fines up to ₹10 lakh, as per the Food Safety and Standards Act.

Source: Hindustan Times