Solutions to improve Food Safety:
Below are the key inputs received on how to improve Food Safety in India. Please review and if you have any additional inputs, please share your comments.
We will soon be compiling the whitepaper and share with the PMO, Minister, Consumer Affairs
and other stakeholders so actions can be taken on this front.
Improving Food Safety in India - Key Solutions
1. The Ministry should completely revamp FSSAI
2. FFSAI’s working should be modernised and the team should be trained on the latest techniques on finding adulteration in food items
3. FSSAU guideline should be strictly implemented
4. Food Testing labs should be set up and upgraded in all states, as per international standards
5. A committee should be established to make a crackdown on food inspectors who take bribes
6. Government food safety evaluation techniques, processes and controls should be modified
7. Steps should be taken to regularize street food vendors and issues licenses to them
8. Directives should be issued on the cleanliness required in the kitchen spaces of restaurants
9. Food inspectors should make surprise visits to food joints to ascertain the level of hygiene and to check for adulteration
10. Violators should be heavily penalized
11. Repeat offenders’ license should be revoked
12. Injecting chemicals into fruits and vegetables should be made illegal
13. Chemical farming should be strictly banned
14. Proper systems and processes should be devised for the food safety bodies
15. District wise checking of hotels and restaurant kitchens must be done on a regular basis
16. Anytime issues are found in a batch of product, recalls should be mandated and same needs to be communicated to public via all media including social media
17. Organic labelling along the lines of (USDA organic) must be introduced
18. A citizen circle like Fight Corruption or Make Railways Better should be created by Food Ministry and LocalCircles on Improving Food Safety so anyone can report issues easily
19. A consumer help line for reporting unsafe, adulterated or unethical practices around food by large corporates should also be started. more