FSSAI directs states to step up festive-season checks on dairy products

New Delhi – The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a directive to state and union territory commissioners and its regional directors, urging a heightened focus on inspections of dairy products during the upcoming festive period. In a letter dated 29 September 2026, the regulator highlighted that consumer demand for sweets, savouries, beverages, edible oil and milk‑based items such as ghee, khoa and paneer spikes sharply across the country in the weeks leading up to major festivals. The correspondence asks state officials to step up sampling, laboratory testing and market surveillance of these products to guard against adulteration and quality lapses. FSSAI officials note that the surge in consumption creates opportunities for non‑compliant manufacturers to introduce sub‑standard goods, potentially endangering public health. The agency also reminds authorities to enforce existing standards for hygiene, labeling and composition, and to coordinate closely with local food safety officers. By aligning inspection schedules with peak buying periods, the regulator aims to ensure that festive treats remain safe for consumers. What to watch: increased inspection reports and any recall notices for dairy items during the holiday season.

Editor's note: The article accurately summarizes the directive and contextualizes it appropriately based on the provided source.

This article is AI-generated and fact-gated. Original reporting: ET Healthworld