India, in India, the controller and the general auditor (CAG) indicated inadequate delay in testing samples and the results of reporting food analyzes (FAL) in the State. The audit test revealed that in six FALS it was tested and reported during 2020–23, of which 62,170 samples (52,255 promotions and 9,915 supervision samples were tested in 55,091 cases (88.61%).
In Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Palayamkottai, Salem and Thanjavur were fals.
In his report on the audit (audit audit) for the year ending March 2023, which was submitted in the Assembly, he noted that under the law and rules under the law and rules of the FSS), a report on food analyst should be sent within 14 days of receiving an article on analysis.
However, in testing samples and reporting results, there was a disproportionate delay that includes reports of hazardous samples. The delay period ranged from one month to more than two years. The report noted that this allowed these foods to be consumed by the public during the delay period and affect the timely remedial measures such as the procedure for downloading food, thus defeating the basic objective of food safety and exposing the public to dangerous food.
In June 2024, the government replied that the delay was caused by a high free space of analysts in FALS and the acceptance of samples was higher than the capacity of the equipment. In addition, he noted that the laboratories could not operate in full swing during COVID-19 locking.
Uneven delay in obtaining the accreditation of the FALS led to the sending of samples to accredited private NAF laboratories, resulting in 19.79% of the samples gathered because they had expired before analysis.
CAG also observed insufficient testing of FALS samples. Inspections of all prescribed parameters and characteristics for the analysis of standards were not carried out in any of the laboratories.
The audit also labeled insufficient storage facilities in offices designated by officers and samples were found on the shelves under unhygienic conditions.
A comprehensive database of food business operators was found. There were also several inconsistencies – not all Anganwadi and slaughterhouse centers in the state were registered. For example, from 2020-21 to 2022-23, the slaughterhouses in the state ranged between 92 and 93, while those that were registered/licensed were only between 60 and 62 and left about one third of the slaughterhouse outside the FSS.
The audit also noted that vacancies in the cadre of food safety officials led to a smaller number of inspections, lack of food sampling for testing and delay in the commencement of decisions and prosecution.
Published – 29 April 2025 22:57 is
