Food Safety

Food companies take note of rising AI-generated images for refund

Restaurants, aggregators deploy AI detection tools as morphed photos of melted cakes, flies in food drive fraudulent claims

Labelling like it is: ORS label ban should spark rethink on other products

ORS is basically a medically formulated mixture of water, glucose, and essential electrolytes such as sodium and potassium

FSSAI bans food brands from using 'ORS' tag over misleading claims

The food regulator has prohibited brands from using the term 'ORS' unless approved by the WHO, citing misleading labelling and over-the-counter misuse in the market

Coffee-stain effect: Indian scientists detect toxins at trillionth levels

A Bengaluru-based team has discovered a coffee-inspired, affordable way to detect banned dyes and contaminants in food at trillionth levels, offering a breakthrough in low-cost food safety testing

Over 80% Indian consumers list food safety as top driver in choices

A PwC India survey found over 80% of Indian consumers prioritise food safety, demanding clean labels, certifications, and sustainable choices while balancing cost concerns

Why preserved vegetables can sometimes turn deadly and how to stay safe

Canning removes air and seals food, creating an oxygen-free environment that preserves it but also provides ideal conditions for bacteria C. botulinum to grow

New advanced chemical testing lab to enhance quality checks for food, water

Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi will inaugurate a new chemical laboratory at the National Test House in Ghaziabad on September 10, as the country seeks to strengthen quality testing capabilities across various industries. The state-of-the-art facility will test packaged drinking water, natural mineral water, food packaging materials, and construction materials, including cement and metals, according to an official statement. The laboratory has received accreditation from the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) under ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards and holds approvals from the Bureau of Indian Standards, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, and under the Fertilizer Control Order of 1985. Equipment includes atomic absorption spectrometers, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry systems, and high-performance liquid chromatography instruments to conduct sophisticated analyses across diverse sectors, the Food and Consumer ...

Rajit Punhani takes over as FSSAI chief with focus on new food norms

Rajit Punhani, a 1991-batch IAS officer, has taken charge as CEO of FSSAI as the regulator prepares to finalise new food labelling rules mandating display of key nutritional information

From scan-and-pay to scan-and-complain: FSSAI mandates QR code at eateries

The app, according to FSSAI, enables consumers to lodge complaints regarding food safety and hygiene issues and report misleading claims on food products, among others

No wheat open market sale as supplies ample, prices stable: Food secy

Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra on Thursday said there is no need to sell wheat from government stocks under the open market intervention scheme as supplies are adequate and prices stable. The government operates the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) to regulate wheat supply and prices by selling surplus stocks from the central pool, managed by Food Corporation of India (FCI), directly to the market at preset reserve prices. "Adequate stocks are there. We have procured very healthy quantity. So there is adequate supply in the market. The prices are already stable. So there is no need of (wheat OMSS)," Chopra told reporters on the sidelines of an Indian Vegetable Oil Producers' Association (IVPA) Global roundtable. India sold about 3 million tonne of wheat under OMSS during 2024-25 fiscal year ended March, compared with about 10.1 million tonne in 2023-24. The country's wheat production is estimated at a record 117.5 million tonne in 2024-25 crop year.

Regulators vital to ensure quality in processed foods: Chirag Paswan

At the World Food India 2025 curtain raiser, Union Minister Chirag Paswan said regulatory bodies like FSSAI are key to ensuring safe, quality processed food in India

SC grants Fssai 3-month extension to decide on front-of-pack labels

The Supreme Court extends the deadline for FSSAI expert committee to submit recommendations on mandatory front-of-pack labels for packaged food items, addressing public health concerns

My action spurred long-awaited response from govt on food safety: Gaikwad

Shiv Sena legislator Sanjay Gaikwad on Thursday said his act of assaulting a staffer at an MLA hostel canteen for serving "stale food" may have been harsh, but it led to a swift action from the government on the food quality issue despite repeated complaints earlier. A viral video footage showing the Buldhana MLA slapping and punching an employee at the Akashwani MLAs' hostel canteen here on Tuesday night for serving "stale food" has drawn widespread condemnation from government and opposition, with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis denouncing the act. The Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) on Wednesday evening suspended the licence of the caterer that operates the canteen, saying violations of the food safety norms were found during an inspection at the facility earlier in the day. Speaking to reporters here on Thursday, Gaikwad said, "There were 200 to 400 complaints in the last four to five years, but the FDA did not act. FDA Minister Narhari Zirwal himsel

Is your rice toxic? Experts explain arsenic risks and how to stay safe

Recent reports reveal dangerously high arsenic in US rice; experts advise safer rice varieties, alternative grains, and better cooking techniques to reduce health risks

Blinkit, Zepto resume operations in Maharashtra after FDA licence clearance

Blinkit and Zepto resume operations at closed facilities in Maharashtra after securing food safety licences and complying with corrective actions ordered by the FDA

FDA chief warns businesses of tough action over food safety violations

Stringent action, including licence cancellations, fines and legal proceedings, will be initiated against establishments violating food safety norms, Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Rajesh Narvekar said. As per the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 and Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration) Regulations 2011, vegetarian and non-vegetarian food must be prepared, processed, and cooked separately, Narvekar said. He pointed out that separation must also be maintained during the food storage and handling stages. "All food businesses are required to follow the safety norms strictly. Violations will lead to immediate notices and necessary legal action. Food safety is not merely a regulatory requirement but a critical social responsibility linked to public health," he asserted in an official statement. Narvekar further said more than 30,000 food business operators in the state had been trained in food safety standards last year. This year, the F

Video of cockroach in food at Theobroma outlet alarms Mumbai foodies

A video showing a cockroach crawling over food at Theobroma's Mulund outlet has gone viral, raising serious hygiene concerns and questions over franchise accountability

After Zepto, FDA shuts Blinkit Pune store for no licence, improper storage

Earlier this month, the Maharashtra FDA suspended the food business licence of quick commerce unicorn Zepto in Dharavi, Mumbai citing non-compliance with food safety standards

World Food Safety Day 2025: Date, Theme, History, Significance and more

World Food Safety Day is marked globally and annually on June 7. It reminds of how food safety is essential for good health, and economic progress. With right choices, we can build a healthier future

From compliance to confidence: Toward transparent and trusted food systems

The theme for World Food Safety Day 2025 is "Food safety: science in action". It highlights the crucial role of scientific knowledge in ensuring food safety