The Government of India is taking proactive steps to enhance food safety standards through a multi-faceted strategy that includes rigorous inspections, training programs, and nationwide awareness campaigns led by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). This information was provided by Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on August 8, 2025.
The FSSAI is mandated to ensure the availability of safe and wholesome food through science-based standards. Under the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006, all Food Business Operators (FBOs) are required to obtain a license or registration and comply with the hygienic and sanitary requirements outlined in the regulations. This includes a mandate for Registered Petty Food Manufacturers to undergo a food safety inspection at least once a year.
FSSAI, in collaboration with State/UTs, conducts regular surveillance, monitoring, inspection, and random sampling of food products. If samples are found to be non-conforming, penal action is initiated against the defaulting FBOs.
The total number of inspections conducted nationwide has been significant:
- FY 2022-23: 31,349 inspections
- FY 2023-24: 36,929 inspections
- FY 2024-25: 46,950 inspections
Training and Certification Programmes
To address the challenges of food safety at the grassroots level, FSSAI has implemented several key initiatives:
Food Safety Training and Certification (FoSTaC)
Launched in 2017, the Food Safety Training and Certification (FoSTaC) program provides training in food safety and standards. A specialized course, “Street Food Vending,” has been developed, and so far, more than 3 lakh street food vendors have been trained under this initiative.
‘Eat Right India’ Movement
This nationwide initiative aims to transform the country’s food ecosystem by promoting food safety and hygiene. Under this movement, FSSAI certifies places where food is prepared or served to build consumer trust.
Eat Right Street Food Hubs
FSSAI has certified 405 Street Food Hubs under this program, educating food vendors to maintain food safety standards and providing them with Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials to display.
Mobile Food Testing Laboratories (MFTLs)
To extend its outreach, particularly in remote areas, FSSAI has deployed
305 Mobile Food Testing Laboratories across 35 States/UTs in India. The primary functions of these MFTLs are:
- Conducting on-the-spot testing of food commodities.
- Providing training for food business operators.
- Raising food safety awareness among FBOs, street food vendors, and the general public.