India, March 3 -- With the upcoming Holi festival, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched the 'Holi Anti-Adulteration Drive - 2025' to ensure food safety, maintain quality standards, and prevent adulteration during the festive season. Given the surge in demand for sweets, snacks, milk, and dairy products such as ghee, khoya, and paneer, there is a heightened risk of food adulteration, posing serious threats to public health.
To address these concerns, FSSAI has directed States/UTs and Regional Offices to initiate strict surveillance and enforcement actions across key food categories, including - Milk & Dairy Products (ghee, khoya, paneer, etc.); Sweets & Confectionery; Snacks & Savories (namkeen, papad, fryums, etc.); Edible Oils; and Cereals & Cereal-Based Products.
Key actions to safeguard public health
The Holi- Anti-Adulteration Drive will involve intensive monitoring and proactive enforcement actions across the country. To ensure strict compliance with food safety regulations, the following measures will be undertaken:
Inspections and sampling: Enforcement officials, including Designated Officers, Food Safety Officers, and Central Food Safety Officers, will carry out routine inspections and collect samples for testing in their respective jurisdictions. This will help identify adulterated and unsafe food products before they reach consumers.
Food Safety on Wheels (FSW): To reach areas with high foot traffic, such as border entry/exit points, major markets, and hotspots, FSW units and Food Safety Officers will be deployed for on-the-spot testing. This mobile approach allows immediate enforcement action against violations of food safety standards, ensuring rapid intervention to prevent the circulation of adulterated goods.
Collaboration with regional offices: The Regional Offices of FSSAI will coordinate with State/UT authorities to ensure smooth execution of the drive, providing necessary resources and support for enforcement officials on the ground.
Post-drive evaluation and reporting
Upon the completion of the drive, all States/UTs and Regional Offices are required to submit a consolidated report by 31 March 2025, to enforcementl@fssai.gov.in. This report will include details on the inspections carried out, samples tested, and actions taken. The report will also assess the effectiveness of the drive and highlight areas for improvement, ensuring that enforcement mechanisms are continually strengthened for future initiatives.
FSSAI remains committed to safeguarding public health by ensuring the availability of safe, high-quality, and unadulterated food products during Holi and beyond. Consumers are encouraged to stay vigilant and report any suspected cases of food adulteration through official FSSAI channels.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from FoodTechBiz.