FSSAI Deploys 285 Mobile Units to Curb Food Adulteration: Minister

New Delhi: To strengthen the fight against food adulteration, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has deployed 285 Food Safety on Wheels (FSW) mobile units across 35 states and Union Territories, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav informed the Lok Sabha on Friday.

These mobile testing laboratories are equipped with the essential infrastructure required for on-the-spot testing of various food commodities. Their primary objective is to identify adulteration and ensure the availability of safe and wholesome food products across the country, the minister said in a written reply.

The FSSAI, established in 2008 under the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006, plays a pivotal role in laying down science-based food standards and regulating their production, storage, sale, distribution, and import. The authority periodically carries out nationwide surveillance, particularly focusing on staple foods and commonly adulterated commodities, to assess their quality and safety.

Jadhav added that, for laboratory testing purposes, the FSSAI has designated 243 primary laboratories and 22 referral laboratories spread across the country. Additionally, the regulator has developed and published comprehensive resources, including 17 manuals on food analysis methods, two general guidelines on sampling, and 15 analytical methods specifically focused on detecting fortificants in fortified foods.

In a move to expedite testing procedures and improve field-level surveillance, the FSSAI has approved the use of 79 Rapid Analytical Food Testing (RAFT) kits. These kits are designed to reduce the time taken for food screening, enabling quicker detection of adulteration.

Moreover, the FSSAI has introduced the Food Safety Magic Box initiative. This tool provides easy-to-use, reliable quick screening tests that can be performed by the general public at the household level. The initiative aims to empower consumers by allowing them to check their food for possible adulteration in case of suspicion.

The government’s multi-pronged approach—through mobile testing labs, advanced testing kits, and public engagement tools—underscores its commitment to ensuring the availability of safe, unadulterated food to all citizens.