1 hr ago
FSSAI Orders Intensified Food Checks During Navratri and Diwali
People often buy more festive foods during Navratri and Diwali.
India’s food safety regulator, FSSAI, wants officials to check these foods more carefully.
They will inspect shops and collect food samples in places where problems may be more likely.
The checks may cover sweets, snacks, milk products, oils and drinks.
Mobile food-testing units can visit busy markets where they are available.
These units can test food on the spot and help explain food safety to shoppers.
The goal is to stop unsafe or fake food from being sold.
FSSAI says the checks should help people feel more confident about festive foods.
FSSAI directed food safety authorities in all States and Union Territories to intensify surveillance, inspections and sampling during the festive season.
The September 29 directive cites expected increases in demand for sweets, savouries, beverages, edible oil, milk products and other foods.
Authorities were asked to target identified hotspots and sensitive locations, including through inspections and sampling.
Food Safety on Wheels units should be strategically deployed where available for on-the-spot testing and consumer awareness.
The measures aim to prevent adulterated, counterfeit and unsafe food from circulating and to strengthen consumer trust.
- Who
- The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India directed food safety authorities in States and Union Territories to act.
- What
- Authorities were told to intensify food surveillance, inspections and sampling and deploy Food Safety on Wheels units where available.
- Where
- Across States and Union Territories, especially at identified hotspots, sensitive locations and prominent marketplaces.
- When
- During the upcoming Navratri and Diwali festive season; the directive was dated September 29.
- Why
- To prevent adulterated, counterfeit and unsafe food products from circulating during a period of increased demand.
Regulatory action
Consumer-facing purpose
How to strengthen festive food safety
Regulatory action
FSSAI calls for intensified inspections, surveillance and sampling, particularly at identified hotspots and sensitive locations.
Consumer-facing purpose
FSSAI also recommends deploying mobile testing units in prominent marketplaces to test food on the spot, raise awareness and build consumer trust.
Key facts
- Issuing authority
- Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
- Directive date
- September 29
- Period covered
- Upcoming Navratri and Diwali festive season
- Authorities addressed
- Food safety authorities across all States and Union Territories
- Products mentioned
- Sweets, snacks and savouries, beverages, edible oil, milk and milk products including ghee, khoa and paneer
- Mobile testing
- Food Safety on Wheels units may be deployed where available for on-the-spot testing and awareness
Quotes
FSSAI
India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority, which issued the festive-season directive.
“Food Safety on Wheels (FSWs), wherever available, may be strategically deployed in prominent marketplaces and/or based on specific intelligence inputs to facilitate on-the-spot testing, strengthen vigilance, create awareness and to boost consumer trust by assuring them of safe and quality food products during the festive season.”
republicworld.com
Sources
Related news
Maharashtra FDA Sets Year-Round Festival Food Safety Calendar
Maharashtra FDA Plans Year-Round Festival Food Safety Checks
Maharashtra FDA Seizes Suspected Food Stock During Ganeshotsav Drive
Pune FDA Seizes Rs76.62 Lakh in Festive Food Crackdown
Maharashtra FDA Says Food Rules Do Not Restrict Festivals
Nashik FDA Seizes Cow Ghee and Turmeric Powder Stock
Supreme Court Quashes ₹5 Lakh FDA Compensation Order
FSSAI Orders Everest Cumin Recall After Unsafe Pesticide Tests
India Regulator Says Nestlé Dairy Whitener Sample Is Unsafe
Nestle Disputes Lab Finding That Dairy Whitener Is Unsafe
