Food safety violations: Regulator should get its act together on wrong-doers, say experts

In the context of Maggi noodles episode recently (where the district administration of Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, slapped a fine of Rs 45 lakh for noodles containing ash ‘above permissible limits of human consumption’), and a number of companies that have been penalised for compliance issues, a question arises: Why are more companies being found not to be FSSAI-compliant?

FSSAI, on its part, says that the test done on Maggi noodles was incorrect as the content of ash found in the noodles was within the limits set for human consumption. “We have done away with ash residue in all food requirements. There is a limit for insoluble ash in food products. Some products seem to have ash-like substance and it is not harmful,” said Pawan Kumar Agarwal, CEO, FSSAI.

Questioning the lab findings, Nestle India said it has not received the order yet and would file an appeal urgently once it receives the order. “While we have not received the orders passed by the adjudication officer, we have been informed that the samples are of year 2015 and the issue pertains to ‘ash content’ in Noodles,” said a Nestle India spokesperson.

What should the FSSAI do to make companies compliant with safety standards? Experts suggested that the regulator can follow some of its suggestions to make it powerful and instil fear in companies so that they do not flout rules.

Heavy fines should be levied: Why are more companies being penalised? Is it that the regulator is becoming more vigilant? Or is it that the companies themselves have no fear of repercussions, ask experts. "It could be either one of these reasons," said Chandra Bhushan, deputy director general, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). Companies are not worried as the fines are a pittance, he said. Bhushan pointed that all the non-compliant issues raised are done at a state-level, arguing that the state-level bodies are more regular.

FSSAI needs to be more stringent: The FSSAI should consider bringing in independent experts into the regulatory framework so that views of others besides of its members are taken into account, said an industry expert.

Bhushan pointed to a CSE study that unearthed the abuse of antibiotics in chicken served by fast food companies. The hypocrisy, according to Chandrabhushan, is that most of these fast food majors have agreed to ensure that there will be no misuse of antibiotics in countries abroad where they are located. “However, nothing of this sort is being done in India,” he said.