ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)
(a) & (b): Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had conducted a Nationwide Qualitative Screening of milk samples for on-spot qualitative and quantitative analysis of milk samples for quality parameters viz. FAT, Solids-Not-Fat (SNF), added water, protein content and safety parameters viz. 13 adulterants, antibiotics, pesticides and aflatoxin M1 covering around 1100 towns across the country. A uniform protocol and precise sampling plan was followed with trained manpower and well equipped laboratory. This survey was intended to help in identification of hotspots and root cause analysis for the same; and also designing and operation of a framework for continuous monitoring of milk quality.
The Survey was conducted from May to November 2018, through M/s VIMTA Labs with a sample size of approx. 6000 samples for qualitative analysis and 1800 samples for quantitative analysis. The interim report of National Milk Safety and Quality Survey 2018 has been released on 13th November, 2018 and is available on FSSAI website i.e. www.fssai.gov.in. As per the interim report, about 39% of milk samples were non-compliant with reference to quality parameters (fat, SNF, sugar and maltodextrin) but were without any safety issues.
Only 9.9% samples were found to be unsafe for consumption. Thus, National Milk Safety and Quality Survey, 2018 broadly suggests that milk in India is largely safe .
(c) & (d): Implementation and enforcement of the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006 primarily lies with State/UT Governments.
As per the information received from State /UT Governments, the number of milk samples analysed, found non-conforming to the prescribed standards and penal action taken against concerned Food Business Operators (FBOs) during the last three years is at Annexure I,II and III .
(e): In terms of Section 31 of Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006, no Food Business shall commence or carry on without license/registration under FSS Act, 2006. Implementation and enforcement of FSS Act, 2006 primarily lies with State/UT Governments. Regular surveillance, monitoring and inspections are being carried out by the Officials of Food Safety Departments of the respective States/UTs to check compliance of the provisions laid down under FSS Act, 2006, and the rules and regulations made thereunder.
In compliance of directions given by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India vide its Order dated 05.08.2016 in the matter of WP (C) No.159 of 2012 titled as Swami Achyutanand Tirth &Ors. V/s Union of India & Ors. pertaining to checking the menace of adulterated milk, FSSAI has advised States/UTs to comply with the direction of Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. Further, in order to make available good quality foodstuffs to the consumers and for keeping a check on the problems of food adulteration in the country, the state food authorities have been advised from time to time to keep a strict vigil by regularly drawing food samples from all sources viz. manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers and to take strict action against the offenders under the provisions of FSS Act, 2006. In cases where samples are found to be non-conforming, penal actions are initiated against the defaulting FBOs as per the provisions of FSS Act, 2006, and Rules and Regulations made thereunder.
Download PDF Files
