**Executive Summary**
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is taking steps to strengthen food safety enforcement and adulteration control. As part of these efforts, 47 State food testing laboratories have been upgraded, 34 microbiology labs have been set up under the SoFTeL scheme, and States and UTs have procured 305 Mobile Food Testing Labs (MFTLs) with FSSAI support, as stated on December 2, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **FSSAI Mandate and Responsibilities:**
* FSSAI is mandated to lay down science-based standards for food articles.
* It regulates the manufacture, storage, distribution, sale, and import of food to ensure its safety.
* FSSAI is responsible for setting standards and ensuring overall coordination, while State Food Safety Authorities enforce these standards.
* **Enforcement and Surveillance:**
* FSSAI, through State/UT authorities and its regional offices, conducts localized/targeted enforcement and surveillance drives.
* Surveillance programs are conducted on staple foods and commodities prone to adulteration to collect data for food safety monitoring, risk assessment, and standards setting.
* **Laboratory Accreditation:**
* FSSAI has notified 246 NABL laboratories for food sample testing.
* 24 Referral Food Laboratories, primarily owned by Central Government entities, are notified for appellate sample analysis.
* **Strengthening Food Testing Infrastructure:**
* FSSAI provides technical & financial assistance to States/UTs through the SoFTeL scheme.
* Under SoFTeL, 47 State food testing laboratories have been upgraded and 34 microbiology labs have been established.
* 305 MFTLs have been procured and deployed by States/UTs against FSSAI funds to bridge testing gaps in remote areas.
**Impact Analysis**
**State Food Safety Authorities**
* **Impact:** Increased resources and infrastructure to enforce food safety standards.
* **Action Required:** Utilize upgraded laboratories and MFTLs to enhance food safety surveillance and enforcement activities at the field level.
**States/Union Territories (UTs)**
* **Impact:** Improved capacity for food testing and increased outreach, especially in remote areas lacking laboratory infrastructure.
* **Action Required:** Deploy and utilize MFTLs effectively to conduct on-the-spot food testing and address gaps in testing capabilities.
**Consumers**
* **Impact:** Enhanced assurance of food safety and quality due to strengthened enforcement and surveillance.
* **Action Required:** N/A
**Central Government Departments and Institutions (Owners of Referral Food Laboratories)**
* **Impact:** Increased demand for sample analysis and appellate analysis.
* **Action Required:** Maintain and expand the sample analysis capacity of referral laboratories.
Key Entities Referenced
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI): The primary regulator responsible for laying down science-based standards for food articles and ensuring food safety.
Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006: The Act that governs food safety and standards, implemented by the FSSAI and State Governments.
Strengthening of Food Testing System in the Country Including provision of Mobile Food Testing Labs (SoFTeL): A scheme by FSSAI to provide financial and technical assistance to States/UTs for strengthening food testing infrastructure.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Steps taken to strengthen food safety
enforcement and adulteration control
47 State food testing laboratories have been upgraded & 34
microbiology labs have been set up under SoFTeL Scheme
States and UTs have procured 305 Mobile Food Testing labs
under FSSAI support to bridge testing infrastructure gaps
प्रव तथ: 02 DEC 2025 4:42PM by PIB Delhi
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 Act, 2006 is a shared responsibility
between the Central and State Governments. While (FSSAI), is responsible for laying down science-based
standards and ensuring overall coordination, the State Food Safety Authorities are primarily responsible for
enforcement at the field level.
To ensure compliance with the set standards, limits, & other statutory requirements under the Act and Food
Safety & Standards Regulations (FSSR), FSSAI, through State/UT food safety authorities and its four
regional offices, conducts regular localized/targeted special enforcement and surveillance drives.
Surveillance programmes are conducted from time to time in a structured manner on staple foods and
commodities that are prone to adulteration to collect and collate data to understand the spectrum of food
safety and then provide relevant data for food safety monitoring, risk assessment and standards setting.
FSSAI has notified 246 National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) for
the testing of food samples. In addition, 24 Referral Food Laboratories, primarily owned by Central
Government departments and institutions, have been notified for the analysis of appellate samples.
Furthermore, 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. 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). So far, 305 MFTLs have been procured & deployed by
States/UTs against the funds provided by FSSAI for 541 MFTLs.
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav stated this in a written
reply in the Rajya Sabha today.****
SR
HFW/ Steps taken to strengthen food safety enforcement /2025/1
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