FSSAI Suspends 1,133 Licences, Seizes Goods Worth Rs 81.8 Crore in Nationwide Drive

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has suspended 1,133 food licences and issued over 10,000 improvement notices following an intensive nationwide inspection drive. The enforcement exercise covered more than 56,000 food establishments across various states and Union Territories, aiming to combat substandard practices and bolster compliance with prescribed food safety standards.

During the extensive operation, authorities seized nearly 3,280 metric tonnes of food products, with an estimated market value of Rs 81.8 crore. FSSAI shared details of the drive on X, emphasizing its objective to ensure greater adherence to food safety regulations. The authority stated its ongoing collaboration with state food safety departments to enhance checks across the country's diverse food ecosystem.

Beyond licence suspensions, the regulatory actions included the issuance of 10,047 improvement notices, which mandate food business operators to rectify identified shortcomings and improve compliance. Additionally, 52 food licences were cancelled outright, and 314 establishments were sealed. These measures underscore the robust regulatory powers available to food safety authorities when businesses fail to meet required standards.

A critical component of the nationwide exercise involved the collection and laboratory analysis of food samples. FSSAI data indicates that 43,939 food samples were collected, of which 23,648 underwent analysis. A total of 2,273 samples were found to be non-compliant with safety standards. The drive also resulted in the initiation of 410 prosecutions against entities facing action for food safety violations.

FSSAI affirmed its commitment to continue working in conjunction with State Food Safety Authorities. This collaborative effort is designed to further improve adherence to prescribed food safety standards across the entire food supply chain. The ongoing nationwide inspections are part of a broader strategy to strengthen enforcement and address violations by food businesses, maintaining a steadfast focus on food safety through inspections and coordinated action with state-level agencies.

Editor's note: Well-structured summary covering the scale of inspections, specific enforcement statistics, and the ongoing regulatory strategy.