Food Safety Regulator Seizes Tons of Banned Items Across India

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India seized 3,279.57 tonnes of banned and non-compliant food products worth ₹81.80 crore during a nationwide inspection drive.

Enforcement Actions

The enforcement drive ran from September 1 to November 5 to check adulteration during the festive season. Authorities inspected 56,431 food establishments across various states and union territories. Following these checks, the regulator cancelled 52 licences, suspended 1,133 licences, and sealed 314 establishments. Officials also issued 10,047 improvement notices to food business operators. The seized products included items like paneer, ghee, milk, and sweets.

Context

Food safety checks typically increase during major festive periods because demand for high-consumption items like sweets and dairy rises sharply, creating more room for adulteration. Regulatory bodies like the FSSAI conduct such drives to ensure that products reaching consumers meet established safety standards and do not pose health risks.