3.7% food samples found unsafe, 15.8% sub-standard, says regulator

News: Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has released data on enforcement of food safety norms.

Facts:

Key takeaways:

• 3.7% of the food samples collected were found unsafe, 15.8% sub-standard and 9% samples had labelling defects.
• There has been a 36% increase in civil cases launched and a 67% increase in the number of cases where penalties were imposed. Further, there has been an 86% increase in criminal cases launched.
• States that have performed well include Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, and Madhya Pradesh, 
• States that have performed poorly include Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, and Assam. 

Additional Information:

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI):

• Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is a statutory autonomous body established under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. It comes under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
• FSSAI is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the regulation and supervision of food safety.
• FSSAI has taken a number of measures to ensure food safety in India. These include a) stringent packaging and labelling norms, b) regulation of restaurant and street food, c) inspections and sampling of food products. 

Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006

• It is an integrated food law that lays down standards and guidelines for consumer safety, protection of consumer health and regulation of the food sector.
•  Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is responsible for implementation of the Act.
• The Act also provides for setting up of Food Safety Appellate tribunal for adjudication and trails under food standard offence.