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GOVERNMENTOFINDIA
MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
RAJYASABHA
UNSTARREDQUESTION NO.2840
TO BE ANSWERED ON 17th MARCH, 2026
UNIFORMANDEFFECTIVEENFORCEMENTOFFOODSAFETYLAWS
2840.DR.AJEETMADHAVRAOGOPCHADE:
Will the Ministerof HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate:
(a)whether Government hastakennote of persistent inter-Statevariations inenforcement
of the FoodSafetyand StandardsAct, 2006, despite advisories issued byFSSAI;
(b) whether Government hasundertakena nationwide assessment of deficienciesinfood-
testing laboratories, including shortages of trainedmanpower,lack of moderntesting
facilitiesandlowconviction ratesinfood adulterationcases across States;
(c)whether institutional reforms, includinga nationallycoordinatedfood safety
implementation policyandstrengthened enforcementmechanisms, are underconsideration;
and
(d) whether legislative or financial measures are proposed toensure uniform
implementation of food safety laws across States,bridge infrastructure andhuman
resource gaps?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILY
WELFARE
(SHRIPRATAPRAO JADHAV)
(a) to (d): 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 FoodSafety and Standards(FSS) Act,
2006isa shared responsibility betweenthe Central andStateGovernments.
For compliance with the set standards, limits, & other statutory requirements under the
Act and food safety & standards regulations (FSSR), FSSAI, through its 4 (four) Regional
offices and State/UT food safety authorities conducts regular localized/targeted special
enforcement and surveillance drives including National Annual Surveillance Plan (NASP),inspections and sampling activities throughout the year. Further, FSSAI has developed Risk
Based Inspection System (RBIS) where frequency of inspection is decided based on risk
associated with Food business and issued guidelines. If any deviations from the standards or
violations to the FSSR are observed, the defaulting food business operators (FBOs) including
food service establishments have been subjected to regulatory actions, including punitive
measures, asstipulatedunderthe FSSAct, 2006 andrulesandregulationsmade thereunder.
FSSAI has notified 252 National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration
Laboratories (NABL) accredited food testing laboratories for analysis of food samples. In
addition, 24 Referral Food Laboratories have been notified for the analysis of appellate samples.
FSSAI has also provided funds for Mobile Food Testing Laboratory (MFTL) referred to as
“Food Safety on wheels” (FSW) to States/UTs. It is an important means to combat adulteration
asFSWs are equippedwith basic infrastructure for on spot testing of adulterationin variousfood
commodities. Currently, 305 FSWs are deployed across 35 States/UTs. However, State Food
Testing Laboratories (SFTLs) are established and operated by respective State Food Safety
Departments.
In the States/UTs, 2997 FoodSafety Officers are working against 4208 sanctioned posts and
668Designated Officers are working against 718sanctionedposts.
To strengthen the capacity of the manpower, regular training programmes are conducted by
FSSAI for the regulatory and laboratory officials. FSSAI has published Food Safety Officer’s
Manual andthe manualsfor laboratories aswell, inorder toalignentire regulatorysystem.
FSSAI also extends financial and technical assistance to States/UTs for strengthening of
food safety infrastructure inthe country. The support includesthe following:
Strengthening Enforcement and Compliance such as Licensing and Registration,
inspectionsandAudits, Sampling andTestingof Enforcementand SurveillanceSamples;
Consumer Grievance Redressal;
CapacityBuildingfor Officers;
Strengtheningof FoodTesting Ecosystem such asHigh End/Basic equipment for labs;
Promotionof FSSAI initiativessuch asEatRight Campus, EatRight School;
Flexi Assistance such as Hiring of vehicles for undertaking inspection and sampling by
FSOsandDOs.
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