How Safe is the Food on Your Plate?  

New Delhi: In February 2026, people in the East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh suddenly began vomiting and experiencing abdominal pain, urinary incontinence, and other issues. Health officials initiated an investigation after several patients exhibited severe symptoms of kidney failure. Between February 16 and March 21, a total of 20 individuals were hospitalised with these symptoms. Of these, 16 could not be saved, three are undergoing treatment, and one was discharged following recovery.

These patients included the elderly and children, many of whom required dialysis and ventilator support.

An official press release issued on March 22 shared laboratory test results, which revealed that the 16 patients succumbed after consuming adulterated milk laced with a toxic substance known as ethylene glycol. The consumption of the contaminated milk led to severe kidney damage and eventually resulted in multiple organ failure.

On March 14, authorities confiscated 150,000 kilograms of expired packaged food items in Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan. The seized items included noodles, sauces, and mayonnaise. The investigation also uncovered equipment that was utilised to change the expiry dates on packages, allowing the resale of outdated products in the market.

Earlier this month, a series of raids carried out by the Hyderabad Commissioner's Task Force resulted in the seizure of over a tonne of adulterated ginger-garlic paste along with hundreds of kilograms of decaying goat and sheep offal.

Last month, at least 175 people – mostly children – became ill after consuming food suspected to be adulterated at a fair in the Palamu district of Jharkhand.

These are merely a few examples that raise serious questions regarding the safety of the food on the average person's plate. The internet is rife with reports of fake paneer (cottage cheese), adulterated honey, contaminated milk, and mislabeled food products. Occasionally, the limited enforcement action undertaken by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) – the regulatory body for food safety and standards – do capture media attention. However, the market for unsafe food products continues to flourish without restraint.

According to a response provided by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in the Lok Sabha on March 13, millions of food samples were tested across the country over the past three years; yet, in comparison, stringent measures – such as the revocation of licenses – have remained exceedingly scarce.

According to government statistics, a total of 518,000 samples were tested between the years 2022-23 and 2024-25. Approximately 170,000 samples were tested annually.

1. 2022-23: 1.77 lakh
2. 2023-24: 1.70 lakh
3. 2024-25: 1.70 lakh

This indicates that while the scope of surveillance is extensive and the testing figures remain relatively consistent, the number of cases involving licence cancellations remains confined to the hundreds, and has, in fact, witnessed a sharp decline in recent years.

While over 500 licences were revoked in 2022-23, this figure dropped to approximately 200 in 2024-25. Conversely, compared to 2022-23, the number of cases resolved through convictions and fines increased in 2024-25 indicating a rise in occurrences of food adulteration.

Cases of Licence Cancellation Halve Over Three Years

Cases Disposed of Through Conviction and Fines

This trend raises the question: if violations are being consistently identified, why is there not a corresponding rise in strict enforcement, and is the fine-based system ineffective in preventing violations?

To find answers to these questions, The Wire Hindi reached out to the FSSAI, but it has not responded till the time of the publication of this report. The response will be incorporated into the story once received.

However, the Union government maintains that the enforcement of food safety laws is a shared responsibility between itself and the states. In particular, while the Union government is responsible for establishing standards and enacting legislation, the responsibility for implementing these standards and establishing the requisite food safety infrastructure – including the hiring of Food Controllers, Food Inspectors, and Food Safety Officers – rests with the states.

Which States Report the Highest Number of Violations?

A noticeable disparity is apparent in the state-wise statistics. In a populous state such as Uttar Pradesh, more than 30,000 samples were tested during the 2024-25 period, with violations recorded in around 15,000 cases. However, the number of licence cancellations was limited to just 16 cases.

Similarly, in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, despite thousands of reported cases, instances of licence cancellations are almost negligible.

The situation seems somewhat different in the southern Indian states, where the number of criminal cases filed is relatively higher. Hundreds of criminal prosecutions have been initiated in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. However, even in these states, the resultant punitive action appears to be quite limited.

The government asserts that, under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, the processes of inspection, sampling, and enforcement are continuous, and that fines, notices, or other regulatory actions are initiated whenever violations are detected. However, available data suggests that in the majority of cases, the action taken remains confined to fines or warnings, while stringent measures – such as the cancellation of licences – are rarely implemented.

The data reveals that while surveillance regarding food safety is extensive, the lack of strict enforcement raises questions regarding the overall effectiveness of the system.

Is Adequate Action Being Taken?

Thus it is but natural to be concerned about the adequacy of the existing mechanism in guaranteeing safe food for consumers, or whether it has been reduced to a mere exercise in formalistic surveillance. Dr. Vandana Prasad, a public health professional and member of Nutrition Advocacy for Public Interest, a think-tank advocating for nutrition policies in the public interest, describes India’s current regulatory framework as weak.

Speaking to The Wire Hindi, she stated, "Given that a significant portion of the food industry remains unorganised, incidents of adulteration and contamination are rising at an alarming rate. However, our current regulatory system is weak; as a result, this has evolved into a grave public health concern."

Official government statistics indicate a decline in stringent enforcement actions, while Prasad asserts that rigorous action is absolutely crucial in serious cases.

She remarked, "The adulteration of food and beverage items is primarily driven by the pursuit of profit." She specified that she was not referring to minor forms of adulteration, such as diluting milk with water, but rather to the grave issue of adulterating food products with chemicals and other harmful substances.

According to Prasad, strict action in such cases is imperative to set a precedent and deter others from engaging in similar practices. She further emphasised the necessity of evaluating the regulatory mechanism itself to determine whether the current framework is adequate. She asserted that effective control can only be achieved when offenders are apprehended and a robust surveillance system is in place.

Kuldeep Indora, the Member of Parliament from Ganganagar who raised this issue in parliament, told The Wire Hindi that the government’s own statistics expose the inherent weaknesses within the food safety framework.

He remarked, "The data clearly demonstrates that while violations are indeed occurring, the enforcement actions taken against them are becoming increasingly lax. This laxity on the part of the FSSAI and the government amounts to effectively granting open patronage to those involved in food adulteration. The current reality is that individuals flout the regulations and, even when apprehended, manage to evade serious consequences by merely paying a nominal fine."

He voiced significant concern that adulterated and substandard food products are making their way onto the plates of ordinary citizens, effectively serving as a "slow poison." Indora stated, "If the government is genuinely committed, it must ensure not merely paperwork, but strict and effective punishment. Otherwise, the current system has become a 'no-fear regime' for adulterators."

The Frequency of Inspections

Over the past three years, the number of food samples tested has hovered around 170,000. However, this figure could potentially be much higher.

According to Prasad, the cases that are detected represent only a small fraction of the total adulteration occurring. The volume of inspections and enforcement actions required – and indeed necessary – is simply not being achieved. The primary reasons for this are a dearth of human resources and an insufficient number of laboratories.

An article published in The Wire by Ankur Bisen, reveals that in 2025, the total consumption of packaged food and food services in India surpassed Rs 16 lakh crore, while pharmaceutical consumption stood at approximately Rs 3 lakh crore. This massive volume was channeled through a network of over 20 million retail outlets spread across the country. Yet, for the sake of regulation, there are fewer than 8,000 food safety officers available – meaning that, on average, each officer bears the responsibility of monitoring more than 2,500 shops.

In most states, due to vacancy rates ranging from 25% to 90%, the probability of a food inspector visiting any specific retail outlet is roughly once every three years. In Maharashtra, for instance, while there was a requirement for 1,100 officers, only 130 were actively working.

The scenario regarding laboratories is no different. Currently, there are slightly more than 200 laboratories accredited by the FSSAI, tasked with covering approximately 800 districts, over 5,000 towns, and 640,000 villages across the entirety of India.

Meanwhile, reports have surfaced suggesting that the Union government intends to grant permanent validity to the registrations and licenses issued by the FSSAI. Previously, food business operators were required to periodically renew their registrations and licenses. However, under the new system, registrations and licenses will remain valid indefinitely, thereby eliminating the need for repeated renewals. 

The Financial State of FSSAI

In its latest annual report of 2023-24, the FSSAI has revealed that out of 824 sanctioned posts, appointments have been made to only 594 – that is, approximately 28% of the positions remain vacant.

Meanwhile, budget cuts in this sector have also continued. For the financial year 2024-25, a total budget of Rs 620 crore was allocated for the regulatory body. However, only Rs 520 crore was actually disbursed. In the following year, 2025-26, the budget was further reduced to Rs 525 crore.

In terms of population, India is about four times larger than the United States; yet, the expenditure on food safety remains significantly lower. The US allocates roughly 0.2% of its budget to this sector, whereas in India, this figure stands at merely around 0.02%.

Translated from the Hindi original – which first appeared on The Wire Hindi – by Naushin Rehman. 

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