The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has unleashed a wave of legal actions against Food Business Operators (FBOs) found to be flouting food safety regulations. Recent data reveals that a staggering 1,411 cases of prosecution have been initiated against FBOs for violations of the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act of 2006 since April 1, 2023.
These prosecutions encompass a wide spectrum of offences, ranging from conducting food-related activities without proper licencing to manufacturing and selling hazardous food products. In this fiscal year alone, a multitude of food items spanning diverse categories, such as dairy and dairy products, spices, bottled water, nutraceuticals, sauces, pickles, chips, jaggery, and more, have undergone rigorous testing to ascertain compliance with safety standards.
Working in conjunction with state and union territory food authorities, the FSSAI maintains a vigilant watch over the quality and safety of food products available to consumers across the nation by collecting and scrutinizing product samples. FBOs found guilty of breaching regulations face financial penalties and legal repercussions under the aegis of the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006.
The FSSAI’s mission is to proactively prevent non-compliant practices and safeguard the accessibility of safe and high-quality food products for consumers through rigorous inspection, vigilant monitoring, and robust enforcement campaigns.
The regulator vehemently advises all FBOs to strictly adhere to its prescribed food product standards and uphold safe and hygienic manufacturing practices. Failure to comply may result in severe actions against non-compliant FBOs, reinforcing the commitment to ensuring the nation’s consumers have access to food products that meet stringent safety criteria.