FSSAI Cracks Down on Three Firms for Food Safety Violations
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity
Why in news
FSSAI has initiated a fresh enforcement drive against food business operators, ordering a product recall, suspending a manufacturing licence, and prohibiting the sale of a health supplement. These actions highlight the regulator's active role in ensuring compliance with food safety laws and protecting consumer health.
Background
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is a statutory body established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. It regulates the manufacture, storage, distribution, sale, and import of food products to ensure safe and wholesome food for human consumption.
Key facts
FSSAI ordered M/s Sun Organic Industries Pvt Ltd to recall its Wonderland Raisins due to pesticide residues exceeding prescribed limits.
Samples of the raisins were tested at the National Food Laboratory, Ghaziabad, and the Referral Laboratory, NIFTEM-K, and declared 'unsafe' under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The licence of Dior Pharmaceuticals' Nutraceutical Manufacturing Unit was suspended with immediate effect due to major and critical non-compliances, including inadequate quality management systems and deficiencies in manufacturing practices.
FSSAI issued a prohibition order against M/s Vatave Health Care, banning the manufacture, storage, distribution, and sale of its Folineuro Syrup (Folinic Acid Syrup).
The Folineuro Syrup was marketed as a nutritional food supplement with misleading claims related to brain function, violating the Food Safety and Standards Act and the Food Safety and Standards (Health Supplements, Nutraceuticals, Food for Special Dietary Use, Food for Special Medical Purpose, Functional Food and Novel Food) Regulations, 2016.
FSSAI warned that violations of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, would invite strict legal and penal action.
Prelims pointers
- FSSAI: Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, statutory body under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
- Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006: The primary law governing food safety in India.
- National Food Laboratory, Ghaziabad: A referral laboratory for food testing.
- NIFTEM-K: National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management, Kundli, a referral laboratory.
- Food Safety and Standards (Health Supplements, Nutraceuticals, Food for Special Dietary Use, Food for Special Medical Purpose, Functional Food and Novel Food) Regulations, 2016.
Mains angles
- Discuss the role of FSSAI in ensuring food safety and the challenges in enforcement.
- Critically examine the adequacy of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, in addressing misleading claims by food supplement manufacturers.