The Chief Executive Officer of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), has directed a 100% inspection of all Packaged Drinking Water (PDW) facilities across Maharashtra. This directive was issued during a review meeting held in Mumbai, focusing on the state’s food safety enforcement activities. A press release on this meeting was issued on June 28, 2025.
The meeting, conducted at FSSAI’s Institute of Training of Consumer Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (ITCFSAN), saw the CEO emphasize the critical importance of regular, bi-annual compliance checks at all PDW premises to safeguard public health and uphold the highest food safety standards. He underscored the need for consistent and effective enforcement across Maharashtra, advocating for the promotion of good hygiene practices among street food vendors, aligning with FSSAI’s “Eat Right India” movement. He also urged that the Prime Minister’s appeal to “Reduce Oil by 10%” should reach every household in Maharashtra to encourage healthier dietary habits.
During the review, the CEO commended the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its robust enforcement actions, including sampling and inspections. Maharashtra’s FoSTaC (Food Safety Training and Certification) training programs for Anganwadi workers and street food vendors were particularly praised as a model for replication nationwide. He also urged the swift deployment of new Mobile Food Testing Vans to enhance field-level surveillance capabilities.
In a significant move to bolster Maharashtra’s food safety framework, appointment orders were recently issued to 194 newly appointed Food Safety Officers (FSOs) on World Food Safety Day earlier this month. Their induction is expected to substantially strengthen the state’s grassroots surveillance, inspection, and regulatory functions.
Providing an update on recent achievements, Food Safety Commissioner of Maharashtra, informed that the “Eat Right Place of Worship” certification has been awarded to the Swamy Samarth Trust and the Shirdi Sai Baba Temple. These recognitions highlight commendable efforts in implementing stringent food safety and hygiene measures in places that serve a large number of devotees.
The meeting witnessed active participation from key central and state enforcement bodies, including the Commissioner of Food Safety, Maharashtra, along with Joint Commissioners, Licensing Authorities from Thane and Konkan divisions, Director of FSSAI’s Western Region Office, and senior officials from FSSAI Headquarters and its regional office. The discussions concluded with a shared commitment between central and state authorities to enhance coordination, ensuring effective implementation of food safety regulations and fostering a culture of compliance throughout the food ecosystem.