Governance
World Food Safety Day 2025
- 09 Jun 2025
- 15 min read
For Prelims: World Food Safety Day, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, Codex Alimentarius Commission, World Health Organization, Food and Agriculture organization, Indian Nutrition Rating
For Mains: Food Safety Regulation, Food security vs. food safety, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, Strengthening food safety in India
Why in News?
World Food Safety Day 2025 (7th June), themed “Food Safety: Science in Action,” highlights India's shift from an adulteration-focused regime to a science-based food safety system led by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
- Despite progress, regulatory gaps and outdated practices persist, warranting renewed scrutiny.
Note: World Food Safety Day, observed annually on 7th June since 2019 following a resolution by the United Nations General Assembly, is a global campaign aimed at raising awareness and inspiring action to prevent, detect, and manage foodborne risks
How has India’s Food Safety Framework Evolved?
- Initial Legal Framework (1954–2006): The Prevention of Food Adulteration (PFA) Act, 1954 treated food safety in binary terms: food was either adulterated or not, without distinguishing between different types of contaminants or considering the levels of exposure.
- It did not account for consumption quantity, dietary patterns, or varying risk profiles of contaminants.
- Reform with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006: It established the FSSAI, aligning India's standards with global benchmarks.
- FSSAI introduced a risk-based framework aligned with international best practices (Codex Alimentarius), incorporating Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for pesticides, Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) for food additives, and setting standards for veterinary drug residues and naturally occurring toxins.
- By 2020, India’s food safety regulations were nearly on par with advanced economies.
Note: The Codex Alimentarius, or "Food Code" is a collection of standards, guidelines and codes of practice adopted by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC).
- CAC is an international food standards body established jointly by the Food and Agriculture organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1963 with the objective of protecting consumer's health and ensuring fair practices in food trade. The CAC has 189 members, India joined the Commission in 1964.
What are the Challenges in Food Safety in India?
- Lack of India-Specific Scientific Data: Most safety standards rely on international data not tailored to Indian dietary patterns, farming practices, or environmental conditions.
- There is an absence of comprehensive Total Diet Studies (TDS) to assess cumulative exposure to contaminants through typical Indian diets.
- Lack of localized toxicological studies limits accurate risk assessment.
- Ineffective Risk Communication: Technical terms like MRLs and ADI are difficult for the general public to understand.
- Current food labelling in India is non-uniform and often difficult to understand. lack of mandatory Front-of-Pack Labelling (FOPL) makes it hard for consumers to identify high salt, sugar, or fat content.
- The Indian Nutrition Rating (INR) is still voluntary and may mislead with high star ratings despite poor nutritional quality.
- Legacy and Outdated Regulations: Some food regulations, such as those concerning MSG (monosodium glutamate), conflict with global scientific consensus.
- MSG has been globally recognized as safe by the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) since 1971, and many countries have removed warning labels, India still mandates a label claiming it is unsafe for infants.
- This restriction is not supported by current scientific evidence. This outdated rule misleads consumers and reflects India’s reluctance to update legacy regulations.
- Informal and Unregulated Food Sector: A large portion of food production and distribution in India is informal, making monitoring difficult.
- Street food vendors, small food businesses, and local manufacturers often operate outside the formal regulatory framework, lacking awareness and compliance with hygiene and food safety norms.
- Inadequate Response to Emerging Risks: India is slow to adapt to emerging threats such as antimicrobial resistance (AMR), genetically modified organisms (GMOs), or climate-induced food hazards.
- Rising Consumption of Processed and Junk Foods: Increased spending on processed foods is contributing to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, hypertension, and obesity.
- Ultra-processed foods are high in salt, sugar, and fats (HFSS), yet marketed as “tasty” and “affordable” options.
- Misleading Advertising: Fast-Moving Consumer Goods companies use aggressive and often misleading ads, especially targeting children and families.
- The Supreme Court of India has raised concerns over such practices, linking them to violations of the Right to Life (Article 21).
Reports and Indices on Food Safety
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Reports and Indices |
Key Insight |
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Shows wide disparity across states. Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Jammu & Kashmir, and Gujarat lead in promoting public health through stronger food safety measures. |
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India has the largest number of undernourished people globally (194.6 million), though this is an improvement from 240 million in 2004–06. Over 55.6% of Indians (790 million people) cannot afford a healthy diet, indicating poor food affordability and accessibility. |
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2022 Global Food Security Index |
India was ranked 68th, alongside Algeria, highlighting persistent challenges and threats to the country’s food security. |
What Reforms are Needed to Strengthen Food Safety in India?
- Strengthen Labelling and Regulatory Framework: As recommended by the FSSAI’s draft regulations (2022) and WHO, mandatory Front-of-Pack Labelling (FOPL) can help consumers make quick and informed decisions, particularly for processed foods HFSS.
- The FSSAI must finalize guidelines for HFSS food which is yet to be precisely defined. A clear definition would enable enforcement in school canteens and public places.
- Adopt traffic-light labelling or star ratings like the Nutri-Score (as used in Europe) to simplify nutrition data.
- Food, a subject on the Concurrent List, involves shared responsibility between the Centre and States. Strengthening Centre-State coordination is vital for a nationwide transformation toward a safe, healthy, and sustainable food system.
- Curb Misleading Advertisements and Health Claims: Empower FSSAI to take suo motu action against misleading advertisements under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 and Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
- Ban Celebrity Endorsements of HFSS Products, especially those targeting children or falsely promoting processed products as “health drinks.”
- Improve Surveillance, Monitoring, and Compliance: Scale up INFoLNET (online portal to food laboratories) and Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) to track real-time compliance by food businesses.
- Mainstream the Informal Sector and Street Food Vendors: Under PM SVANidhi and FSSAI’s Eat Right Street Food Hub initiative, vendors should be trained in hygiene and certified as “clean street food zones”.
- Simplify FSSAI registration under Ease of Doing Business, especially for micro-enterprises and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) working under schemes like National Rural Livelihood Mission.
- Promote Healthy Diets and Behavioural Change: Use Poshan Abhiyaan, school curriculums, and digital influencers to promote healthy eating and traditional Indian diets (e.g., millet-based meals during the International Year of Millets 2023).
- Ensure strict compliance with the School Canteen Guidelines (2020) banning HFSS food in school premises and nearby areas.
- The CBSE mandate for schools to install “sugar boards” (which visually display sugar content in foods) is a pragmatic step in sensitizing children.
- This must be extended to state and private schools, as urged by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).
- Ensure Safe Infrastructure and Storage: Use schemes like PM Kisan SAMPADA Yojana and Operation Greens to build cold storage and safe logistics for perishable foods.
- Enforce safe pesticide and antibiotic residue limits under the Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011.
- Tackle Emerging Risks and Health Hazards: Implement food safety components of the National Action Plan on AMR, especially in poultry, dairy, and aquaculture sectors.
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
- The FSSAI is an autonomous statutory body established under the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006. It operates under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and is headquartered in New Delhi, with eight regional offices across the country.
- FSSAI’s functions include framing food regulations, granting licenses to food businesses, enforcing food safety laws, monitoring food quality, conducting risk assessments, promoting food fortification and organic foods, and providing training and awareness programs.
- It also organizes campaigns such as World Food Safety Day, Eat Right India, Eat Right Station, Food Safety Mitra, and 100 Food Streets.
- The Right to Food is implicit in Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the right to life with dignity. Read with Articles 39(a) and 47, it obligates the State to ensure adequate livelihood, nutrition, and standard of living. This right is enforceable through Article 32 as a fundamental constitutional remedy.
Conclusion
Food safety is a public health imperative and a fundamental right. India needs a multi-sectoral, multi-level reform strategy that not only penalises violators but also empowers consumers. With growing consumer awareness and judicial activism, it’s time to transform India’s food system from “safe enough” to “truly safe and nourishing.”
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Drishti Mains Question: What are the challenges in food safety in India and suggest policy reforms to strengthen regulatory compliance. |
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. Consider the following statements: (2018)
- The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954.
- The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is under the charge of Director General of Health Services in the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: (a)
Q. With reference to the provisions made under the National Food Security Act, 2013, consider the following statements: (2018)
- The families coming under the category of ‘below poverty line (BPL)’ only are eligible to receive subsidised food grains.
- The eldest woman in a household, of age 18 years or above, shall be the head of the household for the purpose of issuance of a ration card.
- Pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to a ‘take-home ration’ of 1600 calories per day during pregnancy and for six months thereafter.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 3 only
Ans: (b)
Mains:
Q. Elaborate the policy taken by the Government of India to meet the challenges of the food processing sector. (2021)
