FSSAI mandates removal of damaged knives in food units to reduce risks of contamination

NEW DELHI: India’s food safety regulator has ordered all food businesses to immediately remove damaged and substandard cutting tools from kitchens and processing units, tightening enforcement of existing hygiene standards amid fears of contamination risks.

In a June 15 notice, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) said knives, blades and other food contact equipment that are rusted, chipped or otherwise damaged must be replaced immediately, tightening standards that are already mandatory under the law.

The advisory cited the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations 2011.

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“Clause 4 of the above regulations requires food contact equipment, utensils and surfaces used in food handling, preparation, processing, packaging and storage to be made of food-grade, non-toxic, corrosion-resistant materials and maintained in a sanitary condition to prevent food contamination,” the document states.

While the regulatory framework already requires regular cleaning and disinfection of such equipment, the authority said compliance gaps persisted across businesses.

“FSSAI has been alerted that some food establishments are using rusted, corroded, chipped, painted, damaged or otherwise unsuitable knives, blades and other cutting equipment in food handling, preparation, processing, cutting, slicing and packaging,” the document said.

The FSSAI warned that defaced instruments pose a direct risk of contamination.

“The use of rusted, corroded, chipped, painted, damaged, insufficiently cleaned or non-food-grade knives, blades and cutting equipment may result in physical, chemical and microbiological contamination of food and is not in accordance with the sanitary and hygienic requirements prescribed in Annex 4 of the Food Safety and Standards (License and Registration of Food Businesses1) added.20

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To address the outages, the regulator ordered businesses to use only corrosion-resistant food tools and ensure all cutting equipment is free of defects such as cracks, paint damage or breakage. It also ordered the immediate disposal of worn or rusted instruments and the adoption of routine cleaning, sanitation and sterilization protocols.

The authority said non-compliance would require enforcement action under existing law. “Any non-compliance found will require action under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 and regulations made under it.

The FSSAI has also directed state and regional officials to step up inspections and monitoring, and local food safety officials have been empowered to punish violators. “If non-compliance is found, appropriate action may be initiated in accordance with the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and regulations made thereunder,” the advisory said.

This notice has been sent to all food business operators, state commissioners and regional directors, signaling a wider push for compliance in the food sector.

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