FSSAI orders nationwide enforcement drive to curb adulteration of milk, its products

New Delhi, Dec 16: Amid growing concerns over food safety and consumer health, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Tuesday directed all States and Union Territories to launch a special nationwide enforcement drive against adulteration and misbranding of milk and milk products, including paneer and khoya.
As per sources in FSSAI, the directive has been issued under Section 16(5) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, empowering the food regulator to take urgent measures in the interest of public health.
“There have been multiple instances of adulteration and misbranding of dairy products reported across the country in recent times,” officials at FSSAI said.
“Such products are often manufactured by illegal and unlicensed entities, posing a serious risk to consumers,” they added.
The regulator reiterated that any misrepresentation of adulterated or analogue products as genuine dairy items constitutes a clear violation of the Food Safety and Standards Act and associated regulations.
Under the special enforcement drive, State Food Safety Departments and FSSAI Regional Offices have been instructed to carry out intensive inspections of premises involved in the production, storage and sale of milk and milk products. (IANS)