FSSAI plans to initiate quality checks on various food items, including dairy products and spices

Following the initiation of an investigation into potential breaches of regulations concerning branded spices, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) intends to extend its surveillance to include other food categories such as fortified rice, dairy products, and spices available in the domestic market. Sources reveal that FSSAI's upcoming surveillance efforts will encompass fruit and vegetables, salmonella contamination in fish products, culinary herbs and spices, fortified rice, as well as milk and milk products.

FSSAI is currently collecting samples of powdered spices from various brands nationwide, including prominent ones like MDH and Everest, following quality concerns highlighted by Singapore and Hong Kong.

"In light of recent developments, FSSAI is procuring samples of spices from all brands, including MDH and Everest, to assess compliance with FSSAI standards," a source disclosed on April 22.

It's worth noting that FSSAI does not oversee the quality of spices intended for export, according to sources.

In early last month, Hong Kong's Center for Food Safety (CFS) issued a warning advising consumers against purchasing and traders against selling certain products, including MDH's Madras Curry Powder, Everest Fish Curry Masala, MDH Sambhar Masala Mixed Masala Powder, and MDH Curry Powder Mixed Masala Powder. This cautionary measure was prompted by the discovery of pesticide ethylene oxide in samples of various pre-packaged spice-mix products from two Indian brands.

Following Hong Kong's directive, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) also took action by ordering a recall of imported 'Everest Fish Curry Masala' from India.

Last week, FSSAI announced its ongoing initiative to collect samples of Nestle's Cerelac baby cereals from across India. This action comes in response to a global report alleging increased sugar content in the product.

Sources indicate that FSSAI routinely conducts nationwide surveillance on a variety of food items to evaluate compliance with established regulations.

The number of samples analyzed has seen a significant rise over the past few years, increasing from 107,829 in 2020-21 to over 451,000 in 2023-24, marking a more than threefold surge.

In 2020-21, out of 107,829 samples analyzed, 28,347 were found non-conforming. The following year, in 2021-22, 144,345 samples were analyzed, with 32,934 found non-conforming. In 2022-23, 177,511 samples underwent analysis, with 44,626 found non-conforming. In the last fiscal year, 451,296 samples were analyzed.

There has been a noticeable uptick in the number of cases initiated and convictions secured, reflecting the diligent efforts of the relevant food safety authorities in enforcing the FSS Act 2006.

FSSAI conducts regulatory testing and monitoring/surveillance of diverse food products through a network of food testing laboratories, spanning both government and private sectors.

These laboratories are categorized as primary and referral laboratories. Currently, there are 239 primary food testing laboratories, 22 referral laboratories, and 12 reference laboratories operational nationwide.