India has been rocked by a series of shocking discoveries in its food products, exposing a grim reality beneath the surface. June alone witnessed a disturbing surge in incidents where consumers uncovered horrifying foreign objects in their online-ordered packaged foods. From dead rats in chocolate syrup bottles to frogs lurking in wafer packets, these revolting findings have ignited public outrage and cast a harsh spotlight on significant lapses in food safety and quality control.
Food Safety Measures Under Scrutiny
Pritee Chaudhary, Regional Director of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), emphasises the rigorous measures currently in place, including the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS) and thorough Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) checks during inspections. Additionally, food samples are tested at NABL-accredited labs to ensure integrity.
"Every food business goes through stricter compliance from the time of licensing. Offices ensure that SOPs for FSMS are in place. During inspections, HACCP is rigorously checked. Samples are sent untampered to labs accredited by NABL. So, the testing and inspection protocols are in place," Chaudhary told Moneycontrol.
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Despite these stringent measures, the persistence of such incidents raises serious concerns about the integrity of the food supply chain. Chaudhary underscores the critical role of supplier management in maintaining food safety, stressing that suppliers must ensure the quality and safety of raw materials.
"We continuously issue directions to Food Businesses to carry out third-party audits and to maintain internal checks. They must not wait for some unpleasant incidents to happen," she added. Brands are also urged to conduct regular in-house testing and quality checks. "Ensuring safety is a continuous process. Having a brand can’t be equated to having safety," she asserts.
Chaudhary also adds that there are thousands of notices seeking compliance on breach points in one single year. Some result in adjudications and penalties, while others lead to prosecutions and court decrees, including the suspension of licenses or halting partial production. "This is a never-ending process and FSSAI gives top priority to hygiene and safety," she adds.
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Disturbing Incidents Uncovered
In one case, a Noida resident had a harrowing experience after ordering a family pack of ice cream online, only to find a centipede inside the package. This incident cast a spotlight on Amul, a renowned brand famous for its extensive range of dairy products. Such occurrences are highly uncharacteristic for the well-established brand, raising questions about its safety protocols.
In another horrifying case in Mumbai's Malad, a 26-year-old doctor discovered a piece of a human finger inside an ice cream cone ordered online. The doctor immediately reported the incident to the Malad police station and registered a case against the Yummo ice cream company, highlighting the severe implications of these safety breaches.
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Legal and Reputational Consequences
The legal repercussions for brands implicated in such incidents are severe. Sweta Rajan, Partner at Economic Laws Practice, elucidates the potential penalties. "The presence of alien or extraneous substances can either be treated as ‘food containing extraneous matter’, ‘sub-standard food’ or ‘unsafe food’. If the contaminated food is found not to be ‘unsafe’, then the brand would be liable to a penalty which may extend to five lakh rupees. However, in the case of ‘unsafe food’, the brand faces a penalty and prosecution," Rajan told Moneycontrol.
Beyond legal consequences, the immediate impact on consumer trust and brand reputation is devastating. Rajan advises companies to upgrade technology and processes to reduce the chances of production and packaging lapses. "A more robust testing and proactive public reporting mechanism may help ameliorate brand value and consumer trust," she suggests.
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Rebuilding Trust and Ensuring Safety
To rebuild consumer trust and prevent future incidents, Chaudhary advocates for proactive industry measures. This includes conducting third-party audits, maintaining stringent internal checks, and fostering a culture where safety is paramount. The FSSAI’s Food Safety Compliance through Regular Inspections and Sampling (FoSCoRIS) system ensures on-spot data feed and actual status reporting through photos, minimizing external influence.
Chaudhary also insists on the importance of continuous education on food safety, suggesting the introduction of more courses on food, nutrition, and safety in colleges and universities. This could quickly enhance industry standards by empowering the workforce with the necessary knowledge and skills.
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Promoting Awareness and Preventive Measures
The path to a safer food environment in India demands unwavering commitment to awareness and education. As over 1.1 million Food Safety Supervisors trained by FSSAI work to enhance safety protocols, the brands must prioritise stringent checks, proactive measures, and continuous learning to ensure every consumer can confidently choose food that meets the highest standards of safety and quality, Chaudhary highlights.
"We must give more coverage to awareness building rather than a forced awareness after an incident," Chaudhary urges. "Initiatives like 'Eat Right,' the use of millets, and the creation of clean street food hubs should be more popularised so that our people stop accepting sub-standard and unhealthy food."
By highlighting these proactive initiatives and fostering a culture of safety, India can move towards a future where every meal meets the highest standards of quality and safety, ensuring the health and well-being of all.
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