3.7 pc of over 1.06 lakh food samples analysed in 2018-19 found unsafe: FSSAI

There has been a 67 per cent increase in the number of cases where penalties were imposed to 12,727. A total amount of Rs 32.58 crore has been realised during 2018-19, up 23 per cent from previous year. There have been 701 convictions in criminal cases.

New Delhi: Food regulator FSSAI on Monday said that over 1.06 lakh food samples were analysed last fiscal, of which 3.7 per cent were found to be unsafeand 15.8 per cent sub-standard. 

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) reported 36 per cent rise in civil cases to 2,813 and 86 per cent increase in criminal cases to 18,550, it said in a statement. 

There has been a 67 per cent increase in the number of cases where penalties were imposed to 12,727. A total amount of Rs 32.58 crore has been realised during 2018-19, up 23 per cent from previous year. There have been 701 convictions in criminal cases. 

Register Now FSSAI released the data on enforcement efforts by states/UTs in the country. The released data includes samples analysed, non-conforming samples, cases launched, convictions and penalties by states/UTs during the year 2018-19 

"During the year 2018-19, a total of 1,06,459 samples were analysed. While 3.7 pc of these samples were found to be unsafe, 15.8 pc were found to be sub-standard and 9 pc samples had labelling defects," FSSAI said in a statement. 

There has been a 7 per cent increase in the number of samples analysed during 2018-19 as compared to 2017-18 and "25 per cent more samples were found non-conforming compared to the previous year", the regulator said, adding that this indicates there has been better targeting of enforcement efforts by states/UTs. 

"More rigorous enforcement by states is essential to build public trust in food," FSSAI CEO Pawan Agarwal said. 

He admitted that public trust has been eroded in recent times due to fake news, creating widespread perception of large-scale adulteration in the country. 

FSSAI is working with states and UTs, particularly with weaker ones in this regard, he added. 

"For this, FSSAI is increasing the capacity of state food laboratories and enabling use of private food labs for testing food samples. Enforcement efforts have to be better targeted and preceded by surveillance efforts to identify hotspots and problem areas," Agarwal said.

Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi and Chandigarh performed well, while states that have performed poorly include Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Assam, Jharkhand, Odisha, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Telengana, and Uttarakhand. 

Many of the poorly performing states have not been able to put in place full-time officers for food safety and do not have proper food testing laboratories despite the food safety law coming into force over a decade ago, FSSAI said.

THSC Launches ‘Food Safety & Sanitization Module’

Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council (THSC) has announced the launch of “Food Safety and Sanitization” program that equips hoteliers and restauranteurs adapt to the new norms of food handling in the current times.

Through this program comprising of six extensive modules and assessments, food handlers can gain an adept knowledge on heightened measures of food and safety hygiene required at hotels and restaurants. A module wise assessment results in a certification, issued by Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council.

“The launch of this app is one of many significant steps in the direction of combating the situation & restrictions owing to the pandemic & creating a better awareness and preparedness to overcome health & safety concerns across our sector. The need of the hour is to inculcate and restore the trust, comfort, and confidence of our guest to continue to use our facilities, and the best possible way to do this is through skilling our people right. We at THSC would like to thank our Knowledge Partners Conrad Bangalore and BCIC who have put in their heart and soul to create such a wonderful & empowering program keeping in line with our vision and mission,” Rajan Bahadur, CEO, THSC, said.

Setting a new benchmark for the industry, Conrad Bengaluru, Exclusive Knowledge Partner to Skill India for this program, has paved the path with an Online Certificate Program in Food Safety & Sanitization on the guidelines of FSSAI for businesses during Covid-19 pandemic.

“I am humbled to be a part of this initiative and to be able to contribute to the growth and wellbeing of the industry. With two decades of experience as a hospitality professional, I have had firsthand exposure to the criticality of appropriate food handling and the nuances that it brings along with it,” Srijan Vadhera, GM, Conrad Bengaluru and Chairman – Tourism, Hospitality & Facility Expert Committee (Karnataka), Bangalore Chamber of Industry & Commerce (BCIC), said. And added that more than ever before, we need to understand the responsibility we carry when we serve millions of guests at our restaurants and hotels.

Speaking on the occasion, TR Parasuraman, Whole Time Director of Toyota Industries Engines and President, Bangalore Chamber of Industry & Commerce said that this is the first time that THSC and BCIC have brought synergies of working together.

“Intended for upskilling the knowledge of food handlers, this is a unique program that offers a certified course, absolutely free of cost amidst a pandemic,” Parasuraman added.

Offering a range of employment linked learning of vocational skills, the 6-hour online course will be offered over Android App powered by Learnet Skills Limited.

THSC is an Industry Body under the aegis of Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).