FSSAI plans centralised food surveillance system

• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is preparing a centralised food surveillance system aimed at strengthening food safety monitoring across India. 

• The proposed framework will centralise market sampling, laboratory testing, and digital alert generation for faster regulatory response.

• The new model is designed to improve coordination between food testing laboratories, regulatory authorities, and state food safety departments through a national digital platform.

• Under the proposed system, neutral third-party agencies selected through a bidding process will collect food samples directly from markets for surveillance testing.

• Approved laboratories will upload testing results to a central national database. 

• If unsafe or non-compliant food products are identified, the system will automatically generate digital alerts containing batch details and send them to the concerned state food safety commissioner for immediate action.

• The proposed rules also require that 50 per cent of surveillance samples should come from large organised supply chains.

• In addition, FSSAI headquarters will directly pay laboratories under the new framework to ensure operational transparency and efficiency.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)

• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has been established under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 which consolidates various Acts and orders that have hitherto handled food related issues in various ministries and departments. 

• The FSSAI is a statutory body established under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

• FSSAI was created for laying down scientific standards for food articles and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption.

The main functions of FSSAI include:

i) Setting globally benchmarked regulations, standards and guidelines.

ii) Facilitating compliance through licensing, registration, inspection and improved laboratory network.

iii) Building capacity of regulatory staff as well as food business operators.

iv) Driving public health initiatives in the true spirit of convergence.

v) Leveraging IEC (Information, Education & Communication) and BCC (behaviour change communication) techniques to build a food safety culture.

vi) Embracing technology to streamline processes. 

vii) Forging strategic partnerships to generate and exchange knowledge and best practices.