Question : Use of Harmful Chemicals

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

(a) whether the Union Government has directed the State Government to check use of toxic and harmful chemicals in edible items;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the number of samples collected in this regard during the last three years, Statewise and the number of samples found to be in violation of law; and

(d) the details of action taken at Central level in this regard and outcome of the action taken and the reaction of the Government thereto?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI FAGGAN SINGH KULASTE)
(a) & (b): The safety parameters of food products and tolerance limit for toxic elements, pesticides residue and heavy metals in food products have been prescribed in the Food Safety and Standards (Food Product and Food Additives ) Regulations, 2011 and the Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011 respectively. All the Food Business Operators have to comply with the provisions laid down under Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006 and Regulations thereunder. The implementation and enforcement of FSS Act, Rules and Regulations thereunder primarily rests with the State/UT Governments. Regular surveillance, monitoring, inspection and random sampling of food products are undertaken by the officials of Food Safety Departments of the respective States/ UTs to check compliance with standards laid down under FSS Act and regulations thereunder. In cases, where food samples are found to be non-conforming, recourse is taken to penal provisions under Chapter IX of the FSS Act.

(c) & (d): No separate enforcement data regarding toxic and harmful chemicals in food is maintained centrally by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. However, as per information made available by States, the number of food samples taken, samples analysed, samples found adulterated/ misbranded, number of cases launched and convictions and penalties for 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16 are given at Annexure I, II and III, respectively.