The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has directed state agencies to prioritize consumer complaints and conduct fortnightly inspections to ensure timely resolution.
The directive was issued by FSSAI Director General Rajit Punhani on Tuesday as the regulator steps up efforts to strengthen enforcement and public confidence in food safety norms, PTI reported.
“Addressing consumer complaints related to food safety on a high priority basis will be a crucial step to strengthen consumer confidence and public awareness,” Punhani said, directing states to monitor complaint resolution every two weeks.
Daily reporting of enforcement actions
An official statement said that to increase accountability under the food safety network, the FSSAI chief has also directed all states to submit daily reports detailing their enforcement and specific action taken against food businesses that do not comply with food safety regulations.
In a separate move to improve the reliability and uniformity of food sample testing across the country, Punhani instructed states to ensure effective use of state-of-the-art laboratory equipment. In addition, states must work to obtain accreditation from the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) for their testing facilities.
Other areas of focus
The meeting, which also addressed the need to streamline licensing and registration processes, was attended by over 70 officials, including state commissioners, FSSAI representatives and members from the food industry and research bodies.
The participants emphasized the importance of data-driven decision-making and the introduction of centralized surveillance mechanisms and called for coordinated efforts between FSSAI and state authorities to create credible food safety insights at the national level.
This increased scrutiny follows reports of counterfeit products being sold in markets ahead of the festive season. In one such case, officials from the Food and Supply Department seized 26 samples of paneer and khoya during surprise checks aimed at adulteration of sweets and dairy products, The Indian Express reported. Several challans have also been issued to food business operators for violating food safety norms.
