Parliament Question: Adulteration of Food Items

GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 2076 TOBE ANSWERED ON1ST AUGUST,2025 ADULTERATION OFFOOD ITEMS †2076.SHRI BHAUSAHEB RAJARAM WAKCHAURE: SHRI ARVIND GANPAT SAWANT: SHRI BAJRANG MANOHAR SONWANE: SHRI OMPRAKASH BHUPALSINH ALIAS PAVAN RAJENIMBALKAR: Will the Ministerof HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate: (a) whether the Government has taken cognizance of food adulteration as many such incidents have come to light in the country and if so, the details thereof along with the number of such incidents reported in the country, State/UT-wise particularly in Maharashtra; (b) whether the Government has conducted any inquiry in this regard, if so, the details thereof along with the number of persons found guilty and action taken thereon; (c) whether the Government is contemplating on bringing a strict and transparent law to control the production, processing, quality and sale of pure paneer across the country and if so, the details thereof; (d) whether food adulteration has been adversely affecting the health of the people and if so,the details thereof indicating the number of incidents of adulteration of butter, milk with palm oil which has come to light; (e) whether the Government proposes to make amendment to the existing Act to impose rigorous punishment to guilty in this regard and if so, the details thereof; (f) whether the Government has formulated concrete plan to check such incidents through regular monitoring, prompt action and Fast Tract Courts and if so, the details thereof; and (g) whether the Government proposes to provide more powers and resources to State Governments in this regard and if so, the details thereof, States/UTs-wise? ANSWER THE MINISTEROFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRIPRATAPRAO JADHAV) (a) to (f): Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is mandated to lay down science based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption. To ensure compliance with the set standards, limits, & other statutory requirements under the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006 and Food Safety & Standards Regulations (FSSR), FSSAI, through its four regional offices and State/UT food safety authorities, conducts regular surveillance, inspections, sampling, and enforcement activitiesin the country. If any deviations from the standards or violations to the FSSR are observed, the defaulting Food Business Operators (FBOs) are subject to regulatory actions, including punitive measures, as stipulated under the FSS Act 2006 and its associated rules. FSSAI also promptly investigates complaints related to food adulteration to ensure food safety and protectpublic health. The data regarding action taken by FSSAI against non-compliant FBOs across the countryandthe State of Maharashtra inFY2024-25 isat AnnexureI. FoodBusiness Operator (FBO),across the supply chain are requiredtoobtain license or registration certificate, as per the eligibility criteria under the FSS Regulation, before commencing any food business. No person can operate without holding a valid license/ Registration certificate. Apart from this, Pre-licensing inspection is mandatory before granting of license to the Food Business Operators (FBOs) involved in manufacturing/processing of Milk & Milk ProductsincludingPaneer. Quality & safety standards of Paneer have been set under the FSS (Food products Standards and Food Additives) Regulation 2011. FSSAI has Risk Based Inspection System (RBIS) where frequency of inspection is decided based on risk associated with Food businesses. Under the same, Milk & Milk products are categorized as High Risk and thus, mandates annual inspection. Moreover, it also specifies mandatorysampling while inspecting the premises. All the food manufacturers including Paneer manufacturers holding Central License has to undergo Third Party Audit from FSSAI empaneled agencies once in a year. Any non-compliance is addressed through corrective actions, penalties, and guidance to ensure adherencetofood safety standards. (g): The implementation and enforcement of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 is a shared responsibility between the Central and State Governments. While the FSSAI is responsible for laying down science-based standards and ensuring overall coordination. However, The State Food Safety Authorities are primarily responsible for enforcement at the fieldlevel. Further, to strengthen the food testing infrastructure in States & UTs, FSSAI has provided technical & financial assistance to the States/UTs under the scheme - “Strengthening of Food Testing System in the Country Including provision of Mobile Food Testing Labs'' (SoFTeL). Under the Scheme, 47 State food testing laboratories have been upgraded & 34 microbiology labs have been set up in the area of food safety & quality parameters. Additionally, based on the requirements received from States/UTs, FSSAI has also beenassisting the States & UTstostrengthen theirfood testing infrastructure. To bridge the gap in testing capabilities and extend outreach for on-the-spot food testing in the remote areas, where the laboratory infrastructures are lacking, State/UTs have deployed Mobile Food Testing Laboratories (MFTLs). Based on the projections provided by States/UTs, FSSAI provides fund to the respective States/UTs for the procurement & operational expenses of MFTLs. FSSAI has sanctioned funds for 541 MFTLs to States/UTs across India.Annexure I Details regardingaction takenbyFSSAIagainstnon-compliant FBOsacrossthe country FinancialYear No.of No.ofSamplesfound No.ofCaseslaunched Samples Non-Conforming lifted/analysed 2024-25 1,94,116 34,388 31,407 Details regarding actiontakenby FSSAIagainstnon-compliantFBOsin thestate of Maharashtra State/UT No.of Samples No. of Samples found No.ofCaseslaunched lifted/analysed Non-Conforming Maharashtra 8788 1250 1,147