How well does India’s food safety rulebook protect what actually lands on your plate?

India's complex food safety framework, despite its comprehensive laws and regulatory bodies, has been failing to ensure the safety of food reaching consumers. Reports of substandard food products, such as adulterated milk and unhygienic kitchens, persist despite enforcement actions. The Food Safety and Standards Act (FSMA) of 2006 serves as the primary legislation governing food safety, with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) setting standards and overseeing licensing.

However, gaps exist throughout the enforcement process, including licensing, inspections, testing, and consumer awareness. Recent instances, such as the FDA's suspension of food licences at high court canteens for lack of proper FSSAI licences, highlight the challenges in monitoring licensing across the vast network of restaurants and food businesses.

Additionally, the Bhartiya Supreme Court intervened in Park Inn by Radisson's case, rejecting the suspension based on the discovery of "two insects" in a kitchen. Meanwhile, Dr. Sivaranjini Santhosh's eight-year legal battle against the marketing of misleading Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) beverages underscores the need for clear regulations and consumer education.

The government's efforts to strengthen enforcement, such as reviewing FSSAI officer performance and launching consumer awareness campaigns, are steps in the right direction, but questions remain about whether the regulatory system is adequately keeping pace with the rapidly evolving food market.