FSSAI Seizes Adulterated Food Worth ₹82 Crore Across Country

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has seized 3,280 tonnes of adulterated food valued at ₹82 crore during a major nationwide campaign. This action was taken to curb food adulteration during the festive season.

According to a report by Dainik Bhaskar, the campaign was conducted between September 1 and November 5. During this 66-day period, a total of 56,431 shops were inspected across the country. During these inspections, 11 products, including paneer, ghee, milk, and sweets, were found to be not in accordance with the prescribed standards. As part of this action, 314 shops were sealed.

Major action was also taken in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, during this campaign, where approximately 2,500 kg of khoya (mawa) worth ₹5 lakh was discarded. FSSAI provided this information on Saturday.

Food safety officers can conduct inspections, take samples, and seize suspicious food materials. Licensing and district-level officers possess powers to suspend or cancel licenses. Competent officers can also initiate proceedings to seal establishments for violation of rules. However, FSSAI or its officers cannot directly send anyone to jail. They proceed with the process of investigation, sampling, and criminal proceedings. Depending on the nature of the crime, the case goes to court, and only the court pronounces the punishment under the law.

FSSAI is India's largest food regulatory body. It operates under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Its primary function is to set safety and quality standards for food products sold in the country and ensure compliance. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 received presidential assent on August 23, 2006. FSSAI was established in 2008. Previously, rules related to food products were implemented under various laws and departments, which the 2006 Act worked to bring into a single system.