Parliament Question: Expansion of Processed Food Industry

GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARREDQUESTION NO.3456 TOBE ANSWERED ON 13TH MARCH, 2026 EXPANSION OF PROCESSED FOOD INDUSTRY

3456. SHRI K E PRAKASH:

Will the Ministerof HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate:

(a) whether the Government is working with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India

(FSSAI)toensure that the rapidexpansion of the processed food industry isaccompaniedby improvementsinfood safety, labellingpractices andconsumer protection,if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government announced inJuly 2025the setting upof a committeetoaddress misconceptionsregardingprocessed foods; and

(c)if so, the current status of the said committee,alongwith itscomposition andmandate? ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRIPRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a) to (c): 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. The implementation and enforcement of the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006isa shared responsibility between the Central andStateGovernments.

For compliance with the set standards, limits, & other statutory requirements under the Act and Food Safety & Standards Regulations (FSSR), FSSAI, through its four (04) Regional Offices and State/UT food safety authorities conducts regular localized/targeted special enforcement and surveillance drives including milk, edible oil, spices and packaged foods throughout the year.The provisions for labelling of pre-packaged foods are specified under Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020 which specifies that all food products must comply with mandatory labelling requirements to ensure consumer protection andinformedchoice.

If any deviations from the standards or violations to the FSSR are observed, the defaulting Food Business Operators (FBOs) have been subjected to regulatory actions, including punitive measures, as stipulated under the FSS Act, 2006 and rules and regulations made thereunderspecifically Section48-67 of the FSSAct, 2006.

Based on the risk profile of food articles, FSSAIhasdevelopedRisk Based Inspection System (RBIS) where frequency of inspection is decided based on risk associated with Food businesses and issued guidelines. The RBIS categorizes Food Business Operators (FBOs) based on risk profile and scale of operations. In addition to scheduled inspections, authorities may undertake targeted inspections in cases of complaints, food safety emergencies, media reports, major non-conformities in third-party audits, or expired licenses.Annual inspections shall be conducted mandatorilyfor all food categoriesidentifiedashighrisk. Furthermore, all Central License manufacturersfalling under high risk category has to undergo Third Party Audit from FSSAIempanelled agenciesonce ina year.

As informed by Ministry of Food Processing Industries, the objective of Committee constituted vide circular dated 12.12.2024 under the chairmanship of Hon’ble Minister of Food Processing Industries is to address misleading publicity of processed foods, ensuring accurate information for consumers and fostering ethical advertising practices in the processed food industry. The terms of reference of the committee include the assessment of current practices, examine the regulatory and legal framework and develop guidelines for processed food advertising.

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