Page 3 - Food Safety

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

FSSAI ask states, UTs to boost efforts against obesity, support PM's call

A key highlight of the discussions was the recent directive from the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to establish 'sugar boards' in schools

Responsibility on food firms to pack micronutrients, says FSSAI chief

FSSAI on Tuesday directed all states and UTs to intensify inspections and launch special drives against the use of illegal fruit ripening agents, synthetic colours, and non-permitted wax

FSSAI directs states to curb synthetic colouring, carbide use on fruits

FSSAI has asked states to inspect fruit mandis and storage units for illegal ripening agents like calcium carbide and unsafe colouring; violators to face legal action under FSS Act

UP extends food biz licence deadline to May 31, warns of strict action

The Uttar Pradesh govt has extended its campaign for food business registration and licensing till May 31, but warned of strict action against defaulters

India slaps 20% export duty on parboiled, milled rice for food safety

A 20% export duty on parboiled and milled rice kicks in May 1, 2025, as India aims to secure food stocks and regulate rice trade amid inflation worries

FDA to crack down on fake paneer, cheese substitutes in Maharashtra

The Food and Drug Administration Department is taking strict action against those using fake paneer or cheese analogues (culinary replacements), Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration Minister Narhari Zirwal said on Saturday. In a statement, he said licences of those involved in trade and sale of fake food products will be cancelled. "Paneer is a favourite food item and has a huge demand in the market. Paneer is especially popular among children. However, the Food and Drug Administration has found in its investigation that consumers are sometimes being cheated by using fake paneer or cheese analogue," he said. "Action will be taken against such paneer sellers who mislead consumers. Action will be taken as per Food Safety and Standards Act," he said. According to the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display Regulations) Rules 2020, it is mandatory to display information about all the ingredients and nutritional values of food sold to the consumers. Restaurants, hotels, ...

Packaged food horror stories from India: Rodents in syrup, frogs in wafers

World health day: 4 in 10 Indian households have reported purchasing infested packaged food in the past three years, reveals a new survey that paints a worrying picture of food safety in the country

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