Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) serves as the primary regulatory body responsible for enforcing food safety and standards throughout India. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the safety and quality of food products, including those within the dairy industry.

Important Events

FSSAI has implemented significant regulations targeting the dairy industry. A notable measure is the requirement for products resembling cheese to be clearly labeled as cheese analogues. This initiative aims to prevent the misrepresentation of such products as authentic paneer, addressing violations of food safety standards and potential health risks. Findings revealed that 83% of paneer samples failed safety tests, prompting the Noida Food Safety Department to seize and destroy 550 kg of adulterated paneer, highlighting the prevalence of adulteration issues in the market.

In addition, FSSAI fined Heritage Foods Limited for a product quality compliance issue, underscoring its commitment to maintaining high-quality standards, focusing on product integrity, accurate labeling, and process compliance.

Company Plans

FSSAI is dedicated to enforcing stringent regulations to ensure consumer safety and uphold the integrity of food products in the market. As part of its ongoing efforts, the authority is actively updating guidelines and standards to address emerging food safety challenges. It has launched a nationwide campaign to combat dairy fraud, deploying 'Food Safety on Wheels'—mobile testing laboratories—across various markets in India. These units conduct rapid tests and promote the use of rapid testing kits.

Additionally, FSSAI has instructed state food safety commissioners to take strict legal action against violators, aligning the campaign with concerns about the impact of dairy adulteration on public health and India's international trade reputation. The authority mandated that independent milk producers and vendors must register, requiring them to obtain registration or a food business license before operating. This initiative is part of a broader effort to address food safety compliance issues and enhance traceability in India's milk supply chain.

FSSAI has also implemented a mandatory licensing requirement for stakeholders involved in the dairy sector in the East Godavari district following an adulteration incident. Furthermore, it has initiated legal action against social media influencers for spreading misinformation about milk quality. These actions are part of its broader effort to combat digital misinformation regarding food safety. The FSSAI is moving towards a 'Risk-Based Inspection' system to streamline inspections for compliant processors while tightening regulations on independent vendors.

In a notable legal development, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India attempted to regulate animal feed, which was deemed outside its purview by the Delhi High Court, restricting FSSAI to human-centric regulations.

Modified: 2026/04/20