FSSAI action against companies selling adulterated food items

Section 38, Sub-Section (3) of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 provides that where any sample is taken, its cost calculated at the rate at which the article is usually sold to the public shall be paid to the person from whom it is taken. Accordingly, Food Safety Officers while lifting food samples for enforcement and surveillance activities actually purchase it from the Food Business Operators engaged in any food related activities i.e. manufacturing, wholesaling, retailing etc.

The results of enforcement action carried out in a particular financial year are reflected in the Annual Report of FSSAI which is placed in public domain i.e on the website of FSSAI for general information of the public after it is laid in the both Houses of Parliament.

Implementation & enforcement of provisions of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 primarily lies with States/UTs Governments. Regular surveillance, monitoring, inspection and sampling of food articles including honey is carried out by food safety officials of States/UTs and where the samples are found non-conforming action is initiated under penal provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act. Action for misleading advertisements/claims is also taken under the penal provisions of the FSS Act.

The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.