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Economic Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Nearly 1 in 5 food samples, including popular chocolates, fail quality tests
Food safety inspections in India revealed that many chocolate samples did not meet required standards. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India conducted nationwide surveys. They found violations in nearly 20% of chocolate samples tested. The regulator is also focusing on e-commerce food platforms. They are warning them to comply with safety protocols. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads E-comm food chains face strict warnings If you thought chocolates were always a safe indulgence, think again. Nearly 20% of food samples tested in India during 2024–25 — including popular chocolate brands — failed to meet required safety standards, the government told the Lok Sabha, reported findings came from nationwide surveys conducted by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which flagged chocolates among the most concerning categories in its Health Minister Prataprao Jadhav revealed that FSSAI, through its four regional offices and state/UT authorities, regularly conducts targeted drives such as the National Annual Surveillance Plan (NASP), along with inspections and random food products are found to violate safety norms, the regulator takes punitive action against the responsible 2024–25, over 1.7 lakh samples were analysed, of which 34,388 were deemed non-conforming and legal cases were filed in 31,407 instances, according to the report.A similar pattern emerged in 2023–24, when roughly the same number of samples were tested and 33,808 failed to meet chocolates and packaged goods, FSSAI has set its sights on India's booming e-commerce food July, the regulator warned leading platforms of 'severe action' if they failed to comply with safety a meeting attended by more than 70 representatives from major e-commerce players, FSSAI CEO G. Kamala Vardhana Rao ordered all platforms to prominently display their FSSAI license or registration numbers on every receipt, invoice, and cash also called for details about the Food Safety Connect App to be printed on consumer-facing documents, and for full disclosure of warehouse and storage facility information on the FoSCoS regulator is pushing platforms to explore displaying expiry dates directly on consumer interfaces and has made hygiene training mandatory for all food handlers, including delivery personnel, under the FoSTaC programme. All warehouses linked to e-commerce food operations must also be licensed or registered with the FSSAI.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Nearly 1 in 5 food samples, including popular chocolates, fail quality tests
Live Events E-comm food chains face strict warnings (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel If you thought chocolates were always a safe indulgence, think again. Nearly 20% of food samples tested in India during 2024–25 — including popular chocolate brands — failed to meet required safety standards, the government told the Lok Sabha, reported findings came from nationwide surveys conducted by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which flagged chocolates among the most concerning categories in its Health Minister Prataprao Jadhav revealed that FSSAI, through its four regional offices and state/UT authorities, regularly conducts targeted drives such as the National Annual Surveillance Plan (NASP), along with inspections and random food products are found to violate safety norms, the regulator takes punitive action against the responsible 2024–25, over 1.7 lakh samples were analysed, of which 34,388 were deemed non-conforming and legal cases were filed in 31,407 instances, according to the report.A similar pattern emerged in 2023–24, when roughly the same number of samples were tested and 33,808 failed to meet chocolates and packaged goods, FSSAI has set its sights on India's booming e-commerce food July, the regulator warned leading platforms of 'severe action' if they failed to comply with safety a meeting attended by more than 70 representatives from major e-commerce players, FSSAI CEO G. Kamala Vardhana Rao ordered all platforms to prominently display their FSSAI license or registration numbers on every receipt, invoice, and cash also called for details about the Food Safety Connect App to be printed on consumer-facing documents, and for full disclosure of warehouse and storage facility information on the FoSCoS regulator is pushing platforms to explore displaying expiry dates directly on consumer interfaces and has made hygiene training mandatory for all food handlers, including delivery personnel, under the FoSTaC programme. All warehouses linked to e-commerce food operations must also be licensed or registered with the FSSAI.
India Today
6 days ago
- Health
- India Today
FSSAI boosts street food safety-Here's what you need to know
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has intensified its nationwide efforts to ensure that every citizen has access to food that is safe, hygienic, and of good stricter enforcement, vendor training, certification programmes, and mobile testing units, the government aims to strengthen public trust in the food AND HYGIENE REGULATIONS FOR FOOD BUSINESSESAll food business operators (FBOs) must obtain mandatory licenses or registrations under the Food Safety and Standards Act, mandates compliance with detailed Food Safety and Hygiene Regulations covering cleanliness, storage, handling, and preparation methods. State and Union Territory food safety departments conduct annual inspections of registered petty food businesses, ensuring even small vendors meet the required hygiene can result in penalties, suspension of licenses, or closure of TRAINING OF STREET FOOD VENDORS UNDER FoSTaCThe Food Safety Training and Certification (FoSTaC) programme is a flagship skill development initiative by than 3 lakh street food vendors and petty operators have been trained across modules cover personal hygiene, safe cooking methods, prevention of contamination, waste disposal, and customer service initiative helps informal street food sellers improve both their hygiene practices and earning RIGHT INDIA AND STREET FOOD HUB CERTIFICATIONThe Eat Right India movement promotes safe, healthy, and sustainable diets while transforming the entire food ecosystem.405 Street Food Hubs across the country have been certified under this qualify, hubs must meet FSSAI's stringent hygiene and infrastructure requirements clean water supply, waste management, pest control, and vendor hubs display official signage so that customers can easily identify and trust FOOD TESTING LABS FOR INSTANT QUALITY CHECKS305 Mobile Food Testing Laboratories (MFTLs) have been deployed across States and fully equipped vans conduct on-the-spot tests for food adulteration, contamination, and quality also serve as awareness units, demonstrating correct food handling to vendors and educating consumers on how to spot unsafe play a crucial role in remote and rural areas where laboratory access is training and street hub certifications have improved hygiene and quality in public eating testing has made food safety enforcement more transparent and plans to expand certification to more hubs and introduce advanced digital tracking tools for real-time monitoring of food businesses.- EndsMust Watch
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
FDA reaches out to more than 5k eateries over food safety in a year, but hygiene remains a concern
1 2 Pune: A string of recent food safety violations at popular eateries in the city has turned the spotlight onto lax sanitation practices, even as the state Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says it has actively run awareness and training campaigns for the last four years, covering at least 5,000 establishments, besides campuses and places of worship. This week, two popular restaurants, Goodluck Café on FC Road and Bhiwandi Darbar in Camp, had their licences suspended after customers raised complaints — the former involving a piece of glass found in bun maska, the latter a cockroach in soup. Videos of both incidents circulated widely online, prompting swift FDA inspections and action. Footage also surfaced online of questionable hygiene at other establishments — a cookie kiosk in a Viman Nagar mall where staff were seen placing cookies dropped on the floor back into the display, and a Middle Eastern outlet in Hinjewadi where a feather was found in a biryani order. A customer at a heritage restaurant in Camp also reported finding a hair strand stuck on the lid of his cold drink. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune "We are taking immediate action whenever we receive complaints. A surprise inspection is conducted, and if violations are found, licences are suspended until food safety norms are complied with," said Suresh Annapure, joint commissioner of FDA Pune. He added that FDA's efforts are not limited to policing violators. "We have run several initiatives in the last four years to help eateries maintain safety standards. From April 2024 till July 2025, Maharashtra FDA conducted Food Safety Training and Certification (FoSTaC) training at 5,507 establishments, issued smiley-based hygiene ratings for 305 eateries. We have also carried out 'Eat Right' workshops on 28 campuses and implemented bhog safety drives at 10 places of worship across Pune region," he said. And yet, customers are now a wary lot. Priya Deshmukh, a software engineer from Baner who loves to eat out, said, "Finding a feather or a cockroach in food is not just gross, it's dangerous. These aren't small mistakes that can be taken lightly. They show there's no real quality check. If we're paying for a meal, we deserve basic hygiene." College student Rohit Kulkarni, a café regular, said, "It's shocking how many places are cutting corners on food safety and quality. The fact that it took a trending video for action to happen says a lot. There should be regular inspections, not just reactions after something goes wrong." Saili Jahagirdar, Pune chapter head of the National Restaurants Association of India (NRAI), countered, "Nobody wants to serve bad food. The concept of 'khana khilana' is an integral part of our Indian culture. But especially during monsoon, pest control becomes even more important to avoid rodent or cockroach infestation on one's premises." She noted that rising consumer awareness is prodding the industry to self-correct, and said, "Today's customers are more vigilant than ever. It's pushing restaurants to be more accountable and constantly improve." Ganesh Shetty, president of the Pune Restaurants and Hoteliers Association (PRAHA), said maintaining hygiene is a restaurant's core responsibility, but also pointed to structural limitations. "Many eateries in Camp and FC Road operate from heritage buildings. Restaurant owners cannot make basic changes like fixing tiles or flooring unless the landlord agrees or there's a court order. It is a tedious process," he told TOI, adding that PRAHA will soon circulate a reminder to members about key protocols, including medical certification for staff every six months.
New Indian Express
09-07-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
After complaints of unhygienic practices, food safety officials inspect Ukkadam fish market in Coimbatore
COIMBATORE: Following a complaint about unhygienic business practices, food safety department officials conducted a surprise inspection at Ukkadam wholesale and retail fish markets, on Tuesday. Fish traders have been advised not to use formalin-laced ice bars to store fish, as the consumption of fish adulterated with formalin can cause health issues. Also, we have advised them to sell fresh fish and avoid stale, said Dr T Anuradha, designated officer of the Food Safety Department, Coimbatore district. As part of sensitising the food safety standards among the food industry stakeholders, the department held a surprise check at the fish market in Ukkadam on Tuesday. The team, led by Anuradha, examined the conditions of the fish showcased for sale, the waste management process, drainage facilities, fish transportation methods and adulteration. There are 48 wholesalers and 23 retailers in the market, under the Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department. The traders were asked about the source of fishes, the transportation method and whether they are using chemicals such formalin to keep the fish fresh. "We can identify fresh fish by its clear eyes, red gills and shiny, moist skin. The traders themselves should identify fresh fish by pressing them. If they press gently with a finger, the indentation quickly springs back if it is fresh. If the indentation remains or the flesh feels soft and mushy, it's a sign the fish may be stale. Also, they are instructed to use ice bars to preserve the fish, made with RO water and not use chemical-laced (formalin) ice bars," said Dr Anuradha. "Formalin is a common adulterant in fish. Traders and suppliers use it to extend the storage life of fresh or chilled fish and artificially improve the sensory attributes. Consumption of fish adulterated with formalin can cause serious health issues," she added. Following the inspection, the fish traders were offered Food Safety Training & Certification (FoSTaC) training inside the market.
