Paper: GS – I, Subject: Governance, Topic: Government Policies, Issue: Food Safety Failures: Gaps in Implementing the Food Safety Act.
Context:
Recent food-poisoning incidents in schools, hostels and public eateries have exposed serious weaknesses in India’s food-safety system. In 2024, 1,122 people reportedly died from food poisoning, although such deaths are largely preventable. The problem reflects not only unsafe food practices but also inadequate staffing, testing, inspections and institutional coordination.
Key Takeaways:
Explanation:
Regulatory Architecture:
- At the central level, FSSAI frames science-based standards for food products, additives, contaminants, packaging, labelling and hygiene. It also develops regulations, supervises licensing systems, recognises laboratories and issues directions for food recalls and enforcement.
- FSSAI operates through scientific panels, a Scientific Committee and a Central Advisory Committee. Its regional and import-control units inspect imported food at major ports and airports.
- At the State level, Commissioners of Food Safety, designated officers and food safety officers issue licences, inspect premises, collect samples, investigate complaints and initiate prosecution.
- NABL-accredited laboratories and State food laboratories test samples for adulteration, contamination and non-compliance.
- Municipal bodies have a limited but important supporting role in trade licensing, market sanitation, waste disposal, clean water supply and regulation of street-food areas.
Major Implementation Gaps:
- Nearly three-fourths of States and Union Territories scored below 50 out of 100 in the Food Safety Index, indicating low or moderate enforcement capacity.
- Maharashtra had nearly 1.8 lakh registered FBOs, but only about 20,877 samples were collected, showing the wide gap between the number of businesses and actual testing.
- FSSAI has a sanctioned strength of 822 officers, but its vacancy rate has increased from about 30% to nearly 40%.
- States and Union Territories had only 2,997 food safety officers against a sanctioned strength of 4,208, leaving approximately 27% of posts vacant.
- Risk-based inspections introduced through legal amendments are yet to be implemented effectively. Inspections often remain irregular and poorly targeted.
- Incomplete FBO databases, inadequate laboratories, weak disease surveillance and fragmented responsibility allow unsafe establishments to avoid scrutiny.
Required Reforms:
- Vacancies in FSSAI and State departments must be filled urgently, with clear officer-to-population and officer-to-FBO norms.
- Digital, risk-based inspections should prioritise schools, hospitals, hostels, mass kitchens, street-food clusters and repeat offenders.
- Accredited laboratories, mobile testing units and rapid outbreak-investigation teams must be expanded.
- Licensing, inspection, testing and prosecution databases should be integrated across central, State and local institutions.
- Inspection findings should be publicly disclosed, penalties for repeated violations strengthened and food-handler training made compulsory.
Conclusion:
India has a comprehensive food-safety law and institutional structure, but enforcement capacity remains inadequate. Stronger staffing, scientific testing, risk-based inspections and institutional accountability are essential. Effective implementation can prevent avoidable illness and protect the right to safe food.
Source: (The Hindu)
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