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FSSAI urges states to strengthen food safety enforcement at 49th CAC meeting
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Wednesday, 11 March, 2026, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Our Bureau, New Delhi
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The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has urged States and Union Territories to intensify food safety enforcement and strengthen inspection mechanisms during the 49th meeting of the Central Advisory Committee (CAC) held in Gangtok. The meeting brought together Commissioners of Food Safety, government officials and stakeholders from the food industry to discuss strategies for improving the country’s food safety ecosystem.
Addressing the gathering, Rajit Punhani, CEO of FSSAI, emphasised the need for stronger on-ground enforcement with a special focus on high-risk food categories such as milk and milk products, edible oils, spices and honey. He called on state authorities to conduct risk-based inspections and sustained surveillance drives while taking strict action against non-compliant food business operators (FBOs). According to Punhani, visible enforcement measures and regular public disclosure of outcomes are essential to deter violations and build consumer confidence in the food safety system.
The CEO also stressed the importance of strengthening the food safety workforce at the state level. States and Union Territories were encouraged to expedite recruitment to fill vacant positions of Food Safety Officers and technical staff, as adequate manpower is crucial for effective implementation of the Food Safety and Standards Act and improved inspection coverage across districts.
Another key area of discussion was improving consumer grievance redressal mechanisms. FSSAI directed states to ensure time-bound resolution of complaints and conduct regular reviews to enhance accountability and transparency in enforcement actions.
Participants also deliberated on strengthening centralized surveillance systems, using data-driven monitoring and coordination between FSSAI and state authorities to generate reliable insights on national food safety trends. Discussions were also held on streamlining licensing and registration processes to facilitate ease of compliance while maintaining strong regulatory oversight.
The meeting witnessed participation from around 110 officials, including representatives from states and Union Territories, industry stakeholders, laboratories and research institutions. The deliberations reaffirmed the collective commitment of FSSAI and state authorities to build a stronger, enforcement-driven and consumer-centric food safety framework to ensure safe and wholesome food across the country.
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