Rajit Punhani, Chief Executive Officer, FSSAI
| Photo Credit:
FSSAI
At the 49th meeting of the Central Advisory Committee, Rajit Punhani, Chief Executive Officer, FSSAI, stressed the need for risk-based inspections and sustained surveillance drives for high-risk categories, including milk and milk products, edible oils, spices, and honey. He also called on the States to take “strict and visible action” against non-compliant Food Business Operators (FBOs), undertake special enforcement drives and regularly share action taken reports. He said this was critical in deterring violations and reinforcing consumer confidence.
According to an official statement, the FSSAI CEO has also asked State to strengthen their food safety workforce by expediting recruitment to fill vacant posts of Food Safety Officers and other key technical personnel. “Adequate manpower is essential for sustaining enforcement intensity and improving inspection coverage across districts,” Punhani added.
He also directed States and UTs to ensure “time-bound resolution” of food safety complaints and conduct periodic high-level reviews. FSSAI has also asked states to promptly respond to consumer concerns, coupled with transparent communication of enforcement actions, which would enhance accountability and public trust.
The meeting was attended by 110 officials, including Commissioners of Food Safety (CFS), representatives from States and UTs, senior FSSAI officers, and industry stakeholders.
“The meeting also deliberated on strengthening centralised surveillance systems, leveraging data-driven decision-making, and improving coordination between FSSAI and State authorities to generate credible national-level insights on food safety trends. Discussions were held on streamlining licensing and registration processes to facilitate ease of compliance while maintaining robust regulatory oversight,” the statement added.
Published on March 2, 2026