As many as 26,077 samples of processed food were found to be adulterated or misbranded out of the over 94,000 samples analysed during the last fiscal, the government said Friday.
Minister of State for Food Processing Industries RameswarTeli, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, said that 94,288 samples ofprocessed food were analysed in 2018-19. “Out of this 26,077 samples werefound adulterated or misbranded,” the minister was quoted as saying in anofficial statement. He added that a total of Rs 32.8 crore was raised aspenalties last year. The minister also said the Commissioners of FoodSafety of states/UTs are regularly conducting inspections, surveillance andenforcement drives through their officials in food processing units to ensurecompliance with laid down standards. “In cases where samples are found tobe non-conforming to the provisions of Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act,2006, and rules and regulations made thereunder, penal action has been initiatedagainst the defaulting Food Business Operators (FBOs)…,” the ministeradded.