Published: 17 March 2026PIB / The Hans India / Compliance CalendarGovernance
FSSAI Tested 5.18 Lakh Food Samples in Three Years; 88,192 Penalties Imposed, 305 Food Safety on Wheels Labs Deployed
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) reported in March 2026 that it had tested 5,18,559 food samples during the three-year period from 2022–23 to 2024–25, resulting in 88,192 penalties imposed, 3,614 convictions, and 1,161 food business licences cancelled. FSSAI has deployed 305 Food Safety on Wheels (FSW) mobile testing vans across 35 States and Union Territories for on-the-spot adulteration detection in markets and crowded areas.
In March 2026, FSSAI also launched a nationwide Holi Special Drive — a targeted inspection and testing campaign against adulteration in sweets, milk products, edible oil, and festive snacks (khoya, paneer, ghee, namkeen, and cereals). All inspection and sampling data collected under the drive is required to be uploaded on FSSAI's FoSCoS or FoSCoRIS platforms by March 31, 2026.
FSSAI functions under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and operates a multi-tier regulatory framework covering central, state, and district-level food safety authorities. Key enforcement tools include random sampling, licensing, registration, and Food Safety Mitra (peer-to-peer outreach) programmes.
For Rajasthan, food adulteration — particularly in dairy products, spices, and edible oils — is a significant public health concern. The state's Food Safety Department, operating under FSSAI's mandate, conducts regular raids especially during festivals like Holi and Diwali. The mobile FSW vans are particularly effective in Rajasthan's rural and semi-urban areas where fixed laboratory infrastructure is limited.
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How many food samples did FSSAI test between 2022 and 2025?
Explanation · Correct answer BFSSAI tested 5.18 lakh food samples in three years (2022-2025), resulting in 88,192 penalties.
Frequently asked questions
What is FSSAI, under which ministry does it operate, and what legislation governs it?
FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) is the apex regulatory body for food safety in India. It operates under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and was established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. FSSAI sets standards for food products, regulates their manufacture, storage, distribution, and sale, and enforces food safety across the country.
What were the key enforcement outcomes of FSSAI's food safety drives during 2022–25?
During 2022–25, FSSAI tested 5.18 lakh (518,000) food samples across India. Of these, a significant proportion were found to be substandard or adulterated, leading to 88,192 penalties being imposed and 1,161 food business operator licences being cancelled — reflecting FSSAI's strengthened enforcement posture.
What are 'Food Safety on Wheels' (FSW) vans and how do they function?
Food Safety on Wheels (FSW) vans are mobile testing laboratories deployed by FSSAI across India to enable rapid, on-the-spot food quality testing. As of 2025, 305 such vans are operational in 35 states and Union Territories. They carry portable testing kits for common adulterants and are managed by state Food Safety Departments under FSSAI supervision, making food testing accessible in markets, melas, and rural areas.
What was the Holi Special Drive 2026 and what food products did it target?
In March 2026, FSSAI launched the Holi Special Drive — a targeted enforcement campaign ahead of the festival season — to check adulteration in sweets (mithai), dairy products (milk, khoya, paneer), and edible oils. Such seasonal drives are significant because festival demand spikes create incentives for adulteration, and FSSAI deploys both fixed labs and FSW vans for rapid field testing during these periods.
Why is food adulteration a public health concern in India and what are common adulterants?
Food adulteration is a major public health concern as it can cause acute or chronic illnesses. Common adulterants in India include synthetic colours in sweets, starch in khoya, urea in milk, argemone oil in edible oils, and pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables. FSSAI's enforcement actions — including the 88,192 penalties during 2022–25 — reflect the scale of the challenge and the need for both regulatory vigilance and consumer awareness.
