In a decisive move to strengthen food safety enforcement across Maharashtra, G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, Chief Executive Officer of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), chaired a high-level review meeting in Mumbai. The meeting took place at the Institute of Training of Consumer Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (ITCFSAN), FSSAI’s flagship training institute, and brought together key officials from central and state enforcement bodies.
One of the major outcomes of the meeting was the directive for 100% inspection of all Packaged Drinking Water (PDW) units across the state. The CEO also stressed the need for bi-annual compliance checks at these facilities to ensure public health safety and maintain strict food safety standards.
In his address, Rao praised the enforcement efforts of the Maharashtra FDA, including sampling and inspection operations. He also appreciated the FoSTaC (Food Safety Training and Certification) training programs provided to Anganwadi workers and street food vendors, describing them as models for replication across India. Furthermore, the CEO emphasized the rollout of Mobile Food Testing Vans to boost surveillance capabilities at the ground level.
A special highlight of the review was Rao’s call to amplify Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message to “Reduce Oil by 10%”, urging officers to ensure this public health campaign reaches every household in the state.
The meeting was attended by Rajesh J Narvekar, Commissioner of Food Safety, Maharashtra, along with his team comprising joint commissioners, adjudicating officers, and licensing authorities from the Thane and Konkan divisions. Pritee Chaudhary, Director of FSSAI’s Western Region Office, also participated alongside senior officials from FSSAI’s headquarters.
A detailed performance review with food safety officers from across Maharashtra was undertaken to evaluate existing operations and identify opportunities for improvement. Rao underlined that “food safety is the foundation of public health,” and any laxity in enforcement would not be tolerated. Officers were urged to maintain high standards of vigilance and dedication.
In a key development, the induction of 194 new Food Safety Officers (FSOs) was celebrated — these appointments, made on World Food Safety Day earlier this month, are expected to significantly enhance Maharashtra’s food inspection and regulatory workforce.
Commissioner Narvekar also shared the recent achievement of the ‘Eat Right Place of Worship’ certification awarded to the Swamy Samarth Trust and the Shirdi Sai Baba Temple, recognizing their exemplary adherence to food safety and hygiene practices.
The meeting concluded with a strong sense of collaboration and a unified resolve among stakeholders to ensure stringent implementation of food safety laws, protect consumer health, and build a culture of compliance across Maharashtra’s food supply chain.
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