Kajal Aggarwal on malpractices in FSSAI: This definitely does put nation's health at risk
Mumbai, July 5
Actress Kajal Aggarwal, who is gearing up for the release of her upcoming film 'The India Story', has spoken up on the malpractices in the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.
The FSSAI has been under public scrutiny for flouting safety norms, and granting food safety certificates to sub par products of late, putting the nation's health at risk.
The actress spoke with IANS during the promotions of the film, and shared her opinion on India's food safety.
The actress told IANS, "So it is a sad reality. Even I have heard of these things, and bad practices, and a lot of things going wrong. This definitely does put the nation's health at risk. Especially, considering that we have the youngest population here, and we have so many young adults and children in our nation who need to be fed. They need to be catered to health and immunity needs to happen. We do not live in the best of sanitation conditions. So, that is another risk. That we are dealing with at any given point of time".
She further mentioned, "There is pollution, there are stress factors. It is all a mixed bag. So, it is definitely not the easiest of environments for us to navigate. But, there are people like Tukaram Munde, the newly elected FDA Commissioner. He governs the entire food channels, and he has carried out more than 700 raids in 22 days of his posting".
"So there are genuine people, there are honest people, who are actually fighting the good fight. And, I just hope that People's conscience really evolves through the course of our film", she added.
'The India Story' is produced by Swati Vinayak Saindane, Anita Jadhav, Vinayak Saindane, Kalpesh Shah, Devyani Khorate, and Prem Joshi. The film is set to release in cinemas on July 24, 2026.
— IANS
Reader Comments
It's good that celebrities like Kajal are talking about food safety, but actions speak louder than words. The real problem is the nexus between manufacturers and corrupt officials. Tukaram Munde doing 700 raids in 22 days sounds impressive but we need systemic change, not just raids. 😔
As an ex-pat living in India, I can honestly say food safety here is a huge gamble. You never know if the 'pure' ghee or 'organic' dal is actually adulterated. Kajal Aggarwal is right - with our pollution levels and sanitation issues, the last thing we need is dodgy food. Wake up, FSSAI!
Honestly? This is old news. FSSAI has been flooded with complaints for years. What we need is strict punishment for those who fake certifications. Jail terms, not just fines. Hope 'The India Story' sheds light on this. But let's be real - a film alone won't change our lax implementation.
So true. My neighbor's kid got sick after eating packed 'healthy' snacks. We checked the FSSAI number on their website - it wasn't even registered. This is criminal! Well said Kajal, and I appreciate you highlighting honest officers like Tukaram Munde. We need more such genuine people in the system. Empower them!
A valid point about the young population. India's demographic dividend is a double-edged sword if we don't ensure food safety. Pollution + stress + unhealthy food = disaster for youth health. Kajal's mention of immunity needs is spot on. Let's hope her film nudges some consciences.