Report

Ahead of the Holi festival, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has directed all states and union territories to intensify food safety enforcement through a nationwide anti-adulteration drive. Authorities have been instructed to conduct stringent monitoring, inspections, and sampling to prevent the sale of substandard and adulterated food products.

States Ordered to Submit Enforcement Reports

FSSAI has asked state and UT authorities to submit a consolidated enforcement report by March 31, detailing:

• Product names targeted for inspection
• Total samples collected
• Non-compliant or failed samples
• Quantity of unsafe food seized and destroyed
• Reasons for non-compliance

Increased Vigilance on Festive Foods

With Holi approaching, FSSAI has launched the “Holi Anti-Adulteration Drive 2025” to curb the sale of adulterated sweets, savouries, and dairy products like ghee, khoya, and paneer, especially in North India. The festival-driven surge in demand often leads to the circulation of substandard food, posing health risks.

FSSAI has directed state enforcement officers to conduct rigorous inspections and sampling. “Officers must intensify vigilance to safeguard public health and prevent food fraud,” stated Rakesh Kumar, Director (Regulatory Compliance), FSSAI, in a letter dated February 28.

Region-Specific Focus on Adulteration

Authorities have the flexibility to focus on region-specific food products. In North India, scrutiny will be higher on milk and dairy items, while in South India, cereals, rice flour, and sweets will be closely monitored. “States should tailor their sampling strategies based on local food habits to prevent adulterated food from reaching consumers,” Kumar told Mint.

Food samples failing to meet FSSAI safety standards will result in legal action under the Food Safety and Standards Act. The regulator conducts quarterly reviews and compiles an annual report for national assessment.

Alarming Non-Compliance in FY2023-24

FSSAI’s 2023-24 analysis of 170,513 food samples found 33,808 non-compliant, leading to:

• 33,750 civil cases against food businesses
• 4,737 criminal cases for severe violations

Strengthening Food Safety During Festivities

As India’s top food regulator under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, FSSAI aims to ensure safer food during Holi through strict enforcement and targeted monitoring, reinforcing compliance with food safety norms nationwide.

Source: Livemint