Act against officials okaying unsafe food products, U.P. told

A sting operation had allegedly shown officials demanding bribes

The Centre on Wednesday sought a detailed report from Uttar Pradesh government and directed it to take action against the guilty in a sting operation by a TV channel which allegedly showed officials demanding bribes to approve unsafe food products.

This comes after Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda took cognizance of the matter and directed officials to take up the issue with state officials while stating that there is “zero” tolerance against corruption.

Following this, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued an advisory to the U.P. chief secretary seeking a report and to ensure the establishment of a review and monitoring mechanism to prevent recurrence of such incidents in the state.

“There is zero tolerance against corruption in the Health Ministry,” the Minister said even as he told officials that the Centre will provide all necessary assistance to the state.

On Tuesday, a leading television channel had conducted a sting operation in which it claimed that food safety officers demanded bribe for approving sale of various food products.

Meanwhile, the Union Health Ministry statement said that FSSAI has clarified that the officials who have figured in the sting operation are not working in FSSAI but are employees of the state government.

The FSSAI advisory by its chairman Ashish Bahuguna, which is in possession of PTI, said that the sting operation not only depicts the food safety department and state government in “poor” light but also casts a shadow over FSSAI’s “concerted” efforts to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption.

“I shall be grateful if you could kindly direct your officers to send me a detailed report on the above incident and take the strongest possible action against official found guilty of corrupt practices... and ensure the establishment of a review and monitoring mechanism so as to prevent recurrence of such cases in the future,” the FSSAI advisory said.

Sources in the Health Ministry said that immediately after the matter came to light, Mr Nadda took stock of the situation and issued directives to officials to look into the matter. 

“There is zero tolerance against corruption in the Health Ministry,” says Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda