Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA)

Location and Operations

The Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) operates extensively across various districts in India, with a focus on Mathura and Aligarh. These regions are central to FSDA's mission to uphold food safety and regulatory compliance within the dairy sector.

Important Events

Between October 8 and 17, FSDA conducted an intensive operation targeting adulteration practices in dairies across Mathura and Aligarh. Led by Commissioner Rekha S Chauhan, the crackdown revealed critical food safety lapses. The initiative was aimed at protecting public health by addressing the widespread issue of adulteration in dairy products.

FSDA's operations extended beyond dairies, with inspections at high-end restaurants in UB City and Brigade Road. These were part of a broader compliance check under India's Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, resulting in the seizure or disposal of 132kg of food. A significant raid in Mathura led to the destruction of 500 kg of contaminated paneer and the confiscation of other materials to ensure food safety.

Future Plans

Looking ahead, FSDA plans to maintain vigilant monitoring and enforcement actions to curb food adulteration. The organization aims to strengthen regulatory measures and raise awareness among dairy producers about the importance of safety standards compliance. This includes continued inspections and collaboration with local authorities to ensure the integrity of dairy products.

In Uttar Pradesh, FSDA has issued directives under India's Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, mandating the closure of manufacturing facilities and the destruction of inventories when inspections confirm the presence of hazardous chemicals or non-dairy fats. Inspection teams have collected samples in Noida, including paneer and khoya from a commercial dairy establishment and a retail vendor, as part of an intensified surveillance campaign to protect consumers and maintain the availability of pure milk and dairy products across the urban district.