Question : Food Safety

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has taken note of the fact that highly toxic and hazardous chemical preservatives and pesticides which are banned/restricted in most countries in the world are being used in the food items including fruits and vegetables in the country, if so, the details thereof indicating the deleterious effect of the said chemicals on the human health;

(b) the number of cases detected, inspection/raid conducted, conviction made in this regard during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise; and

(c) the measures taken/being taken by the Government to regulate and control the excessive use of the said chemicals to ensure food safety?

(a): The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has fixed safety standards under the ‘Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011 as amended from time to time. The Maximum Residual Levels (MRLs) of pesticides in fruits and vegetables have been specified in these standards. Presence of pesticide residues beyond these levels in fruits and vegetable is treated as a violation of the standards laid down under the said Regulations, which attracts action as per provisions of the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act. Sub regulations 2.3.6 provides that the Fresh Fruits and Vegetables should be free from rotting and free from coating of waxes, mineral oil and colours with the provision that fresh fruits may be coated with bees wax (white and yellow) or carnauba wax or shellac wax at levels not exceeding Good Manufacturing Practices under proper label declaration.

Pesticides can adversely effect the nervous system and also cause several diseases such as cancer and those relating to liver, kidney, and lung.

(b): The information made available by the State/UT Governments in respect of food samples collected, tested, found not conforming to the prescribed standards, and action taken against the violation of FSS Act, Rules and Regulations thereunder, during last three years is indicated in Annexures I, II and III.

(c): The implementation and enforcement of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 primarily rests with the State/ UT Governments. The officials of Food Safety Departments of the respective States/ UTs collect random samples to ensure compliance with laid down standards. FSSAI interacts with the State Food Safety Commissioners on such issues from time to time including in the meetings of the Central Advisory Committee.