The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is actively working to ensure the availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption across the nation. Established in 2008 under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, the FSSAI plays a crucial role in setting science-based standards and regulating the food industry.
The Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006, was operationalized with the notification of the Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011, and six Principal Regulations, effective from August 5, 2011. This comprehensive framework provides the foundation for food safety and quality control in India.
The FSSAI, through its State/UT and Regional Offices, conducts regular surveillance, monitoring, inspection, and random sampling of various food products. These activities are aimed at verifying compliance with quality and safety parameters and other requirements as mandated by the FSS Act, 2006, and its regulations. In cases where food samples are found to be non-conforming, the FSSAI takes penal action against the defaulting Food Business Operators (FBOs) as per the provisions of the Act and its associated rules and regulations.
Pan-India Surveillance Initiatives
To ascertain the quality and safety of food products consumed across the country, the FSSAI conducts periodic Pan-India Surveillance of food products, with a particular focus on staple foods and commodities that are more susceptible to adulteration.
To support its regulatory activities, the FSSAI has established a robust network of food testing laboratories:
- 243 primary laboratories have been notified across the country.
- 22 referral laboratories are available for advanced testing.
- 285 Mobile Food Testing Laboratories (MFTL), also known as “Food Safety on Wheels” (FSW), are deployed across 35 States/UTs, equipped for on-the-spot adulteration testing.
The FSSAI has developed a wealth of resources to aid in food safety and analysis, including:
- 17 Manuals on Methods of Analysis covering various food commodities.
- 2 sets of General Guidelines on Sampling
- 15 methods for analyzing fortificants in fortified foods.
The FSSAI has facilitated rapid food testing methods to expedite surveillance and monitoring activities at the field level. 79 Rapid Analytical Food Testing (RAFT) Kits have been approved for this purpose.
The FSSAI has also curated “Food Safety Magic Boxes,” containing “quick screening tests” that individuals can use at home to detect potential adulteration in their food. This empowers consumers to assess the safety of their food in cases of doubt.
As per the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulation, 2011, adherence to Sanitary and Hygienic requirements, based on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Good Hygienic Practices (GHP), is mandatory for all licensed Food Business Operators (FBOs). Violations of these requirements can lead to punitive action under the FSS Act, 2006.
