Parliament Question: Vacancies in FSSAI

GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE RAJYASABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2819 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17th MARCH, 2026 VACANCIES IN FSSAI 2819. SHRI MALLIKARJUN KHARGE: Will the Ministerof HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate: (a) the number of vacant posts in the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) during the last five years, year-wise; (b) whether Government has taken note of the 163rd Report on Demands for Grants 2025 - 26 highlightingthat a significant numberof vacanciesisaffecting FSSAI’sregulatoryefficiency; (c)the reasons for the persistent delays infillingthese posts; and (d) the steps being taken to expedite recruitment, reduce dependence on contractual staff and ensure adequate permanent staffing for effective food safety oversight across all States and Union Territories? 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, 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, the State FoodSafetyAuthorities are primarilyresponsible for enforcementat the field level.FSSAI has Sanctioned Strength of 822 officers created by FSS (Recruitment and Appointment) Regulations, 2018. Number of vacant posts inFSSAIinlast five yearsisasbelow: As on date 2022 2023 2024 2025 01.01.2026 Total Vacancy 271 275 286 300 320 As of the third quarter of FY2025-26, the cumulative sanctioned strength for Designated Officers (DOs) across all States andUTs stands at 718, with 668positions currently filled. In the FoodSafetyOfficer (FSO)cadre,there are 4,208sanctioned posts, of which 2,997 are filled. FSSAI, taking the observation of 163d report on Demands for Grants 2025 - 26 into cognizancehasundertaken following measures:  The manpower position of Designated Officer (DO) and Food Safety Officers (FSO) in the States/UTs is reviewed in the meetings of the Central Advisory Committee (CAC) held on a quarterly interval, wherein the States/UTs are urged for filing upof the existing vacancies and the expansion of sanctioned posts to ensure proportionate oversight of the growing numberof registered food businesses.  The matterisreviewed inInterStateZonalCouncilsmeetings. ******