In a recent disclosure to the Lok Sabha, the government revealed that nearly 20% of food samples surveyed by the food regulator in 2024-25 were found to be non-conforming to the desired standards, including chocolates. This highlights ongoing concerns about food quality and safety in the country.
The government's announcement follows increased scrutiny and actions related to food safety across the nation. For instance, the Punjab government has launched a statewide campaign against food adulteration, involving extensive inspections and legal actions. During this campaign, a significant number of paneer and milk samples failed to meet quality standards, leading to the seizure and destruction of large quantities of adulterated food items. Similarly, in Ghaziabad, nearly half of the food samples tested between April and December of last year failed quality checks, resulting in substantial penalties.
These findings underscore the importance of robust food safety regulations and their enforcement. In the United States, a complex and fragmented food regulatory system has evolved over the last century, with responsibilities for specific food safety concerns allocated to various government agencies. Key to this system's effectiveness is interagency cooperation and collaboration between public and private stakeholders. States also play a crucial role, particularly in enforcing food sanitation and safe food handling by retailers and food service providers.
Several federal agencies in the U.S. play major roles in food safety regulatory activities, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). The FDA implements the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act by monitoring foods to ensure that approved chemicals and environmental contaminants are within permissible levels. FSIS is responsible for monitoring meat, poultry, and eggs for pesticides, animal drugs, and environmental contaminants, ensuring that these products are safe, wholesome, and correctly marked, labeled, and packaged.
Recognizing the potential dangers of substandard and adulterated food, governments are taking proactive measures. The government of Jammu and Kashmir recently issued a public notice warning against the use of prohibited synthetic food colors in ready-to-eat foods, including Wazwan dishes and biryani, highlighting the serious risks to public health. Violators could face imprisonment and fines. In line with this, Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Satish Sharma, has said that a massive crackdown has been launched to identify and nail the culprits selling adulterated items.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) plays a crucial role in ensuring food safety standards are met. Between 2022 and 2025, FSSAI tested 86,401 food samples for pesticide residues, with 2.8% found to exceed the limits. The FSSAI also conducts regular surveillance, monitoring, and inspection of food products to ensure compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Act.
Consumers also have a responsibility to stay vigilant and report any suspicious food products to the authorities. The FDA publishes a Food Code that assists food control jurisdictions by providing a scientifically sound technical and legal basis for regulating the retail and food service segment of the industry. This code offers best practices for safe food handling in retail settings, reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses. Additionally, resources like foodsafety.gov provide the latest news, tips, and alerts to help consumers safely handle and store food.
These combined efforts by government agencies, food safety organizations, and consumers are essential to safeguarding public health and ensuring the quality and safety of the food supply.
