FSSAI Orders Nationwide Food Safety Crackdown Ahead of Festive Season to Prevent Adulteration

Hindustan Times•Published: Oct 6, 2026 01:17 PM IST

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a directive to state and union territory authorities to intensify surveillance and enforcement actions against unsafe food products ahead of the festive season. The regulatory body aims to prevent the circulation of adulterated and counterfeit goods by deploying mobile testing laboratories known as Food Safety on Wheels in prominent markets.

Targeted Commodities: Increased inspections will focus on high-demand festive items including milk products, sweets, snacks, edible oils, beverages, and ghee, alongside region-specific food preferences.
Mobile Testing Labs: Authorities will strategically deploy Food Safety on Wheels mobile laboratories to conduct on-the-spot food testing and boost consumer confidence.
Real-Time Reporting: All regional enforcement officials must mandatorily upload inspection, sampling, and outcome data onto the FoSCoS/FoSCoRIS portals in real time.

The Context & Background

This nationwide order follows recent high-profile crackdowns by the FSSAI, including the suspension of a hospitality license and the banning of specific substandard dairy products due to health and hygiene concerns. The heightened vigilance is designed to address public health risks during periods of massive spikes in commercial food demand across India.

Why it matters:The FSSAI's preemptive crackdown protects public health during a high-demand period when counterfeit and adulterated food products commonly flood commercial markets. Ensuring rigorous compliance and on-the-spot testing safeguards consumers from severe health risks and holds commercial food vendors accountable.

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