Question : Food Adulteration Cases

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

(a) whether the cases of food adulteration have increased across the country during each of the last three years and the current year;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise and the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the lax implementation of laws allows the adulteration business to turn it into a rewarding enterprise, if so, the details thereof;
(d) the steps taken by the Government to enforce stricter implementation of adulteration laws in the States/ UTs;
(e) whether the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has sent a proposal to the Government to amend the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 incorporating therein stringent punishment of fine and imprisonment up to life term for those involved in instances of food adulteration in the country; and
(f) if so, the details and the present status of such proposal along with other steps taken to address food adulteration?

(a) to (c): The implementation and enforcement of provisions under Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006 and Rules and Regulations made there under primarily rests with the State/UT Governments. To ensure compliance with these provisions, State/UT Governments undertake regular surveillance, monitoring and inspection activities.
Samples of food items are drawn by State Food Safety Officers and sent to the laboratories recognised by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for analysis. In cases where samples are found to be non-conforming to the provisions of the Act and the Rules and Regulations made there under, recourse is taken to penal provisions under the FSS Act.
As per the information available from State/UT Governments, the details of samples analysed, found non-conforming ( including adulteration) and action taken against the concerned Food Business Operators during the last three years are at Annexure I, II and III.
(d): FSSAI constantly monitors the enforcement of the Act with the State /UT food safety authorities during the periodic meetings of the Central Advisory Committee in which the Commissioners of Food Safety of all States/UTs are represented and also through video conferencing and interaction during visit of senior officials of FSSAI to States/UTs etc.
(e) & (f) At present, under Section 59 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 for manufacture, storage, sale, distribution or import of unsafe food for human consumption which results in death, a penalty of imprisonment for a term not less than seven years but which may be extended to imprisonment for life and also with fine of not less than ten lakh rupees is prescribed.
A proposal had been received from FSSAI to amend the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The Ministry had invited public comments through a Public Notice on amendment proposal.