As per information shared in the Lok Sabha, anti-food adulteration authorities filed 12,057 cases against defaulters in 2024-25 due to 12,780 samples of milk and milk products failing to meet standards. Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav highlighted that a total of 33,405 samples were examined during actions against non-compliant food business operators in the same period.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is responsible for setting science-based food standards and overseeing their production, storage, distribution, and sale to ensure the availability of safe food for human consumption. Enforcement at the field level is primarily carried out by State Food Safety Authorities, according to Jadhav.
Jadhav emphasized that the enforcement of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, is a joint effort between the Central and State governments. Regular enforcement and surveillance activities, including targeted inspections and sampling of various food products like milk and its derivatives, are conducted by FSSAI and State/UT food safety authorities throughout the year.
For effective food safety measures, the FSSAI conducts Central Advisory Committee (CAC) meetings periodically to address emerging issues and policy reforms. These meetings facilitate discussions with State Food Safety Commissioners to assess enforcement mechanisms and ensure the proper implementation of food safety regulations.
