Food Safety

Food inflation continues to play spoilsport for FMCG sector: Kantar report

The per household average spend in the urban market recorded a 13% jump in a year to reach Rs 6,761 this Oct quarter

FSSAI mandates quarterly reporting of expired, rejected food items

Food safety regulator FSSAI has ordered licensed food manufacturers and importers to submit quarterly data on rejected and expired food items through its online compliance system FOSCOS to prevent their resale for human consumption. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) directive, issued on December 16, also applies to repackers and relabellers. The new reporting requirements cover three key areas: quantity of products failing internal quality testing or inspection; volume of expired or returned products from the food supply chain; and detailed records of product disposal, including destruction, auction, or alternative use, with specific buyer and waste disposal agency information. The move is aimed at preventing rebranding and resale of expired and rejected food items for human consumption under the guise of cattle feed. This initiative will enable real-time tracking of rejected or expired goods and their subsequent disposal or auction for non-human consumption

FSSAI asks states to enhance surveillance in warehouses of e-com operators

Food regulator FSSAI on Thursday asked state authorities to increase surveillance in warehouses of e-commerce operators and issue standard operating procedures (SoPs) for delivery personnel to ensure safe food to consumers. According to an official statement, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) held its 45th Central Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting here on Thursday. In the meeting, States and Union Territories were urged to ramp up surveillance at popular tourist destinations to ensure heightened safety standards in preparation for the peak tourist season from November through March. Keeping in mind the high footfall of both domestic as well as international tourists at popular destinations during the season, States/UTs were advised to utilize Food Safety on Wheels Mobile Labs at these tourist spots. FSSAI CEO G Kamala Vardhana Rao asked "Food Commissioners of various states to step up surveillance on warehouses and other facilities utilised by e-commerce ...

Fssai to meet on Nov 7-8 to discuss food safety issues on e-com platforms

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) will hold meeting of its Central Advisory Committee (CAC) on November 7-8 to discuss food safety issues on e-commerce platforms among others challenges. The meeting, to be held under the chairmanship of FSSAI's CEO G Kamala Vardhana Rao, will see participation of food commissioners from all states/Union Territories or their representatives. According to sources, the CAC meeting will be held on November 7-8 to discuss various issues, including how to strengthen surveillance and testing of food products across all states to ensure food safety. The CAC will also discuss measures to be adopted to ensure sale of quality food products on e-commerce platforms, they said. The committee will discuss this issue amid reports of sale of food products nearing expiry on e-commerce platforms. Sources said FSSAI is likely to call a meeting of big e-commerce players next week to ensure food safety. As per the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006

Govt examining mandatory product disclosures by quick commerce firms

The government is verifying mandatory disclosures on packaged products sold through quick commerce companies, a senior government official said on Tuesday, signalling potential regulatory action against non-compliant firms. Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare told reporters the government is examining whether these companies are adhering to the Legal Metrology Act, which requires disclosure of key product information. "We are examining mandatory disclosures on packaged products sold via quick commerce companies," Khare said. The act mandates that packaged goods sold both online and offline must display information including maximum retail price, expiration date, weight, manufacturer details, and consumer grievance addresses. Khare indicated that the Consumer Affairs Ministry may take action against quick commerce companies found to be in violation of these disclosure requirements. The move comes as quick commerce gains popularity in India, with companies promising ultra-fast ..

FSDA collects ten food samples from Mathura markets for testing purpose

The Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) in Mathura has collected 10 samples, including kuttu (buckwheat) and singhara (water chestnut) flour, from various markets for testing. An official said further action will be taken following the test results. Assistant Commissioner (Food) Dharmendra Pratap Singh said the collection was part of efforts to ensure food quality during the festive season. "On Monday, the team gathered samples from markets at Govardhan Chauraha, Dhauali Pyau, and Kosi Kalan," he said Singh said the samples included two of sabudana (tapioca pearls) from Amar Colony near Govardhan Road, one of ghee from Radha Valley Colony, one of paneer from Basant Vihar Colony, and two of mustard oil from Dhauali Pyau and Sarai Shahji Kosi Kalan. "Additionally, samples of munakka (dried grapes) and kuttu flour were also collected," he added. The 10 samples have been sent to the laboratory for analysis. Upon receiving the reports, appropriate legal actions will be taken un

Maldives 1st Lady visits FSSAI office, discusses aspects of food standards

First Lady of Maldives Sajidha Mohamed on Monday visited the office of food regulator FSSAI and discussed key aspects of food safety standards. According to an official statement, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had the honour of welcoming Sajidha Mohamed, First Lady of the Republic of Maldives and her delegation for a meeting held at FSSAI headquarter in the national capital. During the meeting, Sajidha Mohamed had an "engaging interaction with India's contact point for the Codex Alimentarius Commission, discussing key aspects of food safety standards and regulatory frameworks." The First Lady was apprised of the laboratory ecosystems established by FSSAI to ensure the highest standards of food safety across the nation. She mentioned that it will be "beneficial for Maldives to have a collaboration with India on improving food safety standards of the Maldives." As part of the meeting, FSSAI arranged a brief demonstration of its flagship initiative, Food Sa

Andhra govt launches SIT probe into alleged Tirupati laddoo adulteration

YSRCP leaders are advocating for a Supreme Court-monitored investigation to ensure impartiality in the Tirupati laddoo row

Decoded: FSSAI takes U-turn on week-old notice on 'A1', 'A2' milk products

The regulator stated that the advisory dated August 21, 2024, issued regarding the subject cited, has been withdrawn for further consultation with stakeholders

Nearly 12% of India's tested spice samples fail quality, safety standards

MDH and Everest have said their products are safe for consumption. Their spices are among the most popular in India - the world's biggest exporter, producer and consumer of spices

Railways: Hygiene-related issues up 500% in 2 yrs; complaints per meal down

In light of these complaints, IRCTC has issued 68 showcause notices, and three contracts were cancelled between January 2021 and March 2024

Microplastics in all Indian salt, sugar brands: How much are you consuming?

A test carried out on 10 types of salt and five types of sugar, purchased from online and local markets in India, showed the presence of microplastics in all samples

India issued over 300 notifications since 2020 to promote food safety: Data

India has issued over 300 notifications since January 2020 to promote food safety, protect animals and plant health, and maintain the quality of products in the markets, according to the commerce ministry data. These notifications are issued under Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT). Both are allowed under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules. TBT and SPS are non-tariff measures (NTMs). SPS is used by countries to set out basic rules for food safety and animal and plant health requirements. On the other hand, TBT deals with voluntary and mandatory standards and procedures to maintain the quality of products in the markets. When these regulations impose an unnecessary burden on trade, then they become non-tariff barriers (NTBs). The data showed that as many as 62 SPS and 247 TBT notifications were issued by India since January 2020. Since the formation of the WTO in 1995, the number of these regulations stood at 330 (SPS) and 434 (TB

World Food Safety Day 2024: Date, history, theme, importance, quotes

On June 7, 2019, World Food Safety Day was first observed. The day aims to highlight the importance of food safety and to promote actions that assists prevention and management of food borne risks

FSSAI asks food biz to remove claim of 100% fruit juice from packet labels

Food regulator FSSAI has asked food business operators to immediately remove claims of 100 per cent fruit juices in advertisements as well as labels on packaged products. According to an official statement, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a "directive mandating all Food Business Operators (FBOs) to remove any claim of '100% fruit juices' from the labels and advertisements of reconstituted fruit juices with an immediate effect. All the FBOs have also been instructed to exhaust all existing pre-printed packaging materials before 1st September 2024. "It has come to the attention of FSSAI that several FBOs have been inaccurately marketing various types of reconstituted fruit juices by claiming them to be 100 per cent fruit juices," the statement said. Upon thorough examination, FSSAI has concluded that, according to the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018, there is no provision for making a '100%' claim. "Such claims are

Failed quality test: Patanjali Foods to appeal court order jailing three

A case in this regard was registered in 2021 after reports found the samples did not meet the food safety standards

Spices industry urges immediate action to address food safety concern

Last year, India exported spices to the tune of 1.426 million tonnes valued at approximately $4.2 billion, AISEF said

Trouble mounts for MDH, Everest as New Zealand checks for contamination

Regulators in India have inspected MDH and Everest plants and sent samples for testing after the global scrutiny, though the results have not yet been made public

FSSAI relaxed pesticide norms in April, allowing 10x more residue in spices

Activists had warned against the policy relaxations, pointing to potential health hazards linked to pesticides

Two fall sick after eating at Noida's McDonald's, Theobroma; probe on

FDA immediately took action and visited McDonald's at Noida Sector 18 to collect the samples