In a renewed push to strengthen food safety enforcement across the country, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has directed States and Union Territories to expand their food safety workforce, intensify inspections, and prioritize surveillance of high-risk food categories such as milk, edible oils, spices, and honey.
The directive was issued during the 49th meeting of the Central Advisory Committee, where FSSAI Chief Executive Officer Rajit Punhani emphasised the need for risk-based enforcement and faster resolution of consumer complaints to maintain confidence in the country’s food safety system.
Focus on high-risk categories and stricter action
Punhani urged State authorities to conduct targeted inspection drives in categories that are more prone to adulteration and quality violations. These include milk and milk products, edible oils, spices, and honey—segments that form a large part of daily consumption and have historically required closer regulatory monitoring.
He also called for “strict and visible action” against non-compliant Food Business Operators (FBOs), stating that enforcement must be consistent and transparent to deter violations. States have been asked to carry out special drives, submit regular action-taken reports, and maintain sustained surveillance rather than one-time campaigns.
According to FSSAI, stronger enforcement at the ground level is essential to ensure that food safety standards are implemented uniformly across districts.
Recruitment pushes to fill vacant posts
One of the key concerns raised during the meeting was the shortage of trained enforcement personnel. The FSSAI CEO asked States and UTs to expedite recruitment to fill vacant positions of Food Safety Officers and technical staff, noting that inadequate manpower limits inspection coverage and weakens regulatory oversight.
He said that strengthening the workforce is necessary to maintain enforcement intensity, especially as the number of licensed food businesses continues to grow across the country.
Faster complaint resolution, greater transparency
FSSAI also instructed State authorities to ensure time-bound resolution of food safety complaints and to conduct periodic high-level reviews of enforcement performance. Prompt response to consumer grievances, along with clear communication of regulatory action, was described as critical for improving accountability and public trust.
Officials were advised to make enforcement outcomes more visible to the public so that consumers remain confident about the safety of food products available in the market.
Data-driven surveillance and better coordination
The meeting, attended by more than 100 officials including Commissioners of Food Safety from States and UTs, also discussed strengthening centralized surveillance systems and improving coordination between the Centre and State authorities.
FSSAI stressed the need to use data-driven monitoring to identify emerging risks, track violations, and generate reliable national-level insights on food safety trends. Discussions also covered simplifying licensing and registration procedures to improve ease of compliance for businesses while maintaining strict regulatory oversight.
With food consumption patterns changing rapidly and processed food categories expanding, the regulator’s latest directions signal a shift toward tighter monitoring, stronger enforcement, and a more structured, risk-based food safety framework across India.