New Delhi: The government intensified efforts to curb food adulteration across the country, with authorities analysing over 5.18 lakh food samples in the past three years and taking enforcement action against violators.
Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav shared the details in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. He said enforcement under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 is carried out jointly by the Centre and state governments.
According to official data, authorities analysed 5,18,559 food samples between 2022-23 and 2024-25. During this period, regulators imposed penalties in 88,192 cases, secured 3,614 convictions and cancelled 1,161 licences.
Officials conducted surveillance drives, inspections and random sampling throughout the year. These checks covered products such as milk, ghee, spices, honey and paneer to ensure compliance with food safety standards.
Meanwhile, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India introduced a Risk Based Inspection System. Under this mechanism, inspection frequency depends on the risk level associated with food businesses.
Authorities carried out 56,259 risk-based inspections over the past three years. High-risk food categories require annual inspections under the system.
Food adulteration checks expand with labs and mobile testing units
To strengthen testing capacity, FSSAI has notified 252 food testing laboratories for analysing food samples across the country. In addition, 24 referral food laboratories handle appellate sample testing.
The regulator also supports states and Union Territories in strengthening food safety infrastructure. Assistance includes improving licensing systems, inspections, sampling and consumer grievance redressal.
In addition, the government funded mobile food testing laboratories known as “Food Safety on Wheels.” These vehicles conduct on-the-spot checks to detect food adulteration in various commodities.
Currently, 305 Food Safety on Wheels units operate across 35 states and Union Territories. Officials said these mobile labs play a key role in identifying adulterated food and improving public awareness.
The government said it will continue strengthening the food safety ecosystem through better testing infrastructure, regulatory monitoring and public awareness initiatives.
