Strengthening regulatory enforcement and surveillance emerged as the central agenda during the 50th meeting of the Central Advisory Committee (CAC) of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), held under the chairmanship of FSSAI CEO Rajit Punhani.
Addressing representatives from States and Union Territories, the CEO directed authorities to expedite the recruitment of Food Safety Officers (FSOs) and Designated Officers (DOs) and fill existing vacancies to enhance field-level regulatory capacity. The directive comes amid growing emphasis on improving food safety oversight and ensuring effective implementation of food safety regulations across the country.
The meeting, convened a day after World Food Safety Day 2026, highlighted the need for stronger enforcement mechanisms, increased food sampling, and enhanced surveillance activities. FSSAI reiterated that a robust regulatory presence at the ground level remains critical for safeguarding public health and maintaining consumer confidence in the food supply chain.
Referring to this year’s World Food Safety Day theme, “From Burden to Solutions: Safe Food Everywhere,” Punhani stressed the importance of translating food safety challenges into practical, science-based solutions through coordinated action among regulators, industry stakeholders, and consumers.
The committee also reviewed the performance of States and UTs across key regulatory indicators, including enforcement activities, surveillance sampling, food safety inspections, complaint resolution, and reporting through the FoSCoS platform. Authorities were advised to address operational gaps and ensure timely achievement of prescribed targets.
In addition to enforcement, discussions focused on improving the quality and completeness of food safety data submitted through digital systems. FSSAI emphasized that reliable data and evidence-based decision-making are essential for identifying emerging food safety risks and implementing targeted interventions.
The authority further encouraged States and UTs to strengthen consumer awareness initiatives and expand outreach efforts at the grassroots level to promote food safety education and build public trust.
The deliberations reflect FSSAI’s continued focus on reinforcing India’s food safety ecosystem through stronger enforcement, improved surveillance, and enhanced regulatory preparedness.
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