The government regularly tests and audits to ensure that food items are safe and of good quality. This work is done through the Food Safety and Standards Authority of india (FSSAI). Food safety officers of the central and state governments regularly test to see whether the rules of storage, segregation and cleanliness are being followed under the 2006 law.
The testing checks whether the food items are stored properly, whether they are kept separately and whether cleanliness is being taken care of. According to FSSAI, the samples taken in the testing are tested. Those who break the rules are fined and there is also a provision to punish them.
How many samples failed the test?
According to the report presented in Parliament, more than one lakh food samples have been tested every year in the last five years. Out of these, some or the other irregularity has been found in about 30,000 to 45,000 samples every year. The most common problem in irregularity is 'sub standard' i.e. quality less than the set standards. After this, 'mistake in label' or 'giving wrong information' is also a big problem. The number of unsafe i.e. dangerous samples is the least, but it is also a matter of concern.
The maximum number of 170,513 samples were tested in 2023-24. 177,511 samples were tested in 2022-23, which was more than 2023-24. Whereas 144,345 samples were tested in 2021-22, 107,829 in 2020-21 and 118,775 in 2019-20. In 2023-24, 33,808 samples did not meet the standards. In 2022-23, this number was 44,626, which was the highest. 32,934 samples failed in 2021-22, 28,347 in 2020-21 and 29,589 in 2019-20.
click and follow Indiaherald WhatsApp channel