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FSSAI CEO Demands Nationwide Crackdown on High-Risk Food Items

FSSAI CEO Rajit Punhani has called on states and Union Territories to intensify enforcement against high-risk food categories like milk, edible oils, spices, and honey. He emphasized risk-based inspections and visible action against non-compliant food businesses to deter violations and build consumer trust. The directive includes expediting recruitment to fill critical vacancies in the food safety workforce at the state level. The meeting also focused on improving grievance redressal and using data-driven systems for better national food safety oversight.

Key Points: FSSAI Orders Crackdown on Milk, Spices, Oil Safety

  • Risk-based inspections for milk & spices
  • Strict action against non-compliant businesses
  • Fill vacancies in food safety workforce
  • Time-bound consumer grievance redressal
  • Strengthen data-driven surveillance systems
2 min read

FSSAI CEO calls for nationwide crackdown on high-risk food commodities at 49th CAC meeting

FSSAI CEO Rajit Punhani directs states for strict enforcement against unsafe milk, oils, spices, and honey to boost consumer confidence.

"consistent enforcement and proactive public disclosure of outcomes are critical to deterring violations - Rajit Punhani"

Gangtok, March 2

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India CEO Rajit Punhani urged states and Union Territories to significantly strengthen on-ground enforcement mechanisms, with a sharp focus on high-risk food categories, during the 49th meeting of the Central Advisory Committee held in Gangtok, Sikkim.

Addressing Commissioners of Food Safety (CFS) and senior officials, Punhani emphasised the need for risk-based inspections and sustained surveillance drives in high-risk commodities such as milk and milk products, edible oils, spices, and honey.

According to an official release, he called for strict and visible action against non-compliant Food Business Operators (FBOs), directing States/UTs to undertake special enforcement drives and regularly share updates on actions taken. He underlined that consistent enforcement and proactive public disclosure of outcomes are critical to deterring violations and reinforcing consumer confidence.

The CEO further stressed the importance of strengthening the food safety workforce at the State/UT level. He encouraged States/UTs to expedite recruitment to fill vacant posts of Food Safety Officers and other key technical personnel to ensure effective implementation of the Food Safety and Standards Act.

Adequate manpower, he noted, is essential for sustaining enforcement intensity and improving inspection coverage across districts. Reiterating the importance of an effective consumer grievance redressal mechanism, Punhani directed States/UTs to ensure time-bound resolution of food safety complaints and conduct periodic high-level reviews, the release stated.

He emphasised that prompt response to consumer concerns, coupled with transparent communication of enforcement actions, would enhance accountability and public trust. The meeting also deliberated on strengthening centralised surveillance systems, leveraging data-driven decision-making, and improving coordination between FSSAI and State authorities to generate credible national-level insights on food safety trends.

Discussions were held on streamlining licensing and registration processes to facilitate ease of compliance while maintaining robust regulatory oversight. U S Dhyani, Executive Director, FSSAI; Dr Satyen Kumar Panda, Executive Director (CS) & Advisor, FSSAI and Tshewang Gyachho, Health Secretary & Commissioner of Food Safety, Government of Sikkim, were also present on the occasion, the release noted.

Approximately 110 officials participated in the meeting, including Commissioners of Food Safety (CFS), representatives from States and UTs, senior FSSAI officers, and stakeholders from the food industry, agriculture sector, laboratories, and research institutions.

The 49th CAC meeting reaffirmed the collective resolve of FSSAI and State/UT authorities to build a stronger, enforcement-led, and consumer-centric food safety ecosystem to ensure the availability of safe and wholesome food across the country.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Finally some focus on ground-level enforcement. All these rules mean nothing if the Food Safety Officers are understaffed. They need to fill those vacancies ASAP and give them proper resources. Our street food and local markets need constant monitoring.
D
David E
Transparency is key. "Proactive public disclosure of outcomes" – if they actually publish which brands or FBOs were penalized and why, it would be a game-changer for consumer trust. Right now, we hear about raids but rarely see the final results.
A
Aman W
Good intent, but I'll believe it when I see it. We've had many such announcements before. The problem is often at the state level – political pressure, corruption, and lack of will. Hope this time is different. 🤞
S
Shreya B
Milk, oil, spices, honey – these are daily essentials in every Indian kitchen. Adulteration here is a direct attack on public health. Strengthening the grievance redressal system is crucial. We need a simple way to complain and get a time-bound response.
K
Karthik V
While I appreciate the focus, I hope this doesn't become another burden for small, honest kirana store owners. The crackdown should be data-driven and target the real culprits – the large-scale adulteration networks and unscrupulous manufacturers.
M
Meera T

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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