₹10.5 crore substandard food seized in Gujarat, but unsafe items still a threat to public health

Despite seizing adulterated and stale food items worth ₹10.5 crore during festival raids, Gujarat’s food safety authorities continue to face criticism over delays in lab testing and lax enforcement. The seizures were made as part of 18 special drives conducted during key festivals in 2024–25, when more than 351 tonnes of suspicious food were confiscated in over 190 raids across the state.

Among the items seized were ghee, sweets, khoa (mawa), grains, and other festive foods — many of which pose serious health risks if consumed in adulterated or decayed form.

Food tests show 1.45% failure rate; unsafe food still sold

According to data from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), 60,448 food samples were tested in state labs during 2024–25. Of these, 1.45% failed quality checks, and 0.17% were deemed unsafe for human consumption. Despite these numbers, authorities issued over 1.28 lakh food safety licences and registrations across Gujarat in the same period.

During the festival season, 29,515 food samples were collected, and 15.3 tonnes of spoiled food worth over ₹26 lakh were destroyed. Officials say such drives aim to prevent public health risks, especially during periods of high food production and consumption.

Violators fined ₹6.21 crore; jail sentences in 46 cases

Under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, authorities filed 980 adjudication cases and resolved 864, leading to penalties worth ₹6.21 crore. Additionally, 87 court cases were filed for unsafe food, resulting in ₹54.42 lakh in fines. In 46 cases related to inedible food, 67 individuals were found guilty, fined ₹24.26 lakh, and several were sentenced to up to 6 months in jail.

However, consumer advocates say enforcement is not swift or severe enough to deter repeat offenders.

Why is unsafe food still reaching homes?

Experts point to slow lab turnarounds. Samples collected on Dussehra are often tested only by Diwali, well after the food has been consumed—defeating the very purpose of testing.

Delays in testing raise questions about effectiveness

Rising cases of food poisoning and gastrointestinal illness are being linked to contaminated or adulterated food. Experts have repeatedly called for routine, time-bound inspections and stricter laws. They argue that test results should be delivered within 48 hours, especially during festivals when consumption is high.

Despite the high-value seizures, critics question whether authorities are doing enough to prevent unsafe food from entering the market in the first place.

Mobile food vans conduct 1.24 lakh spot tests

To improve field-level monitoring, the state has deployed 32 mobile “Food Safety on Wheels” vans, which conducted 1.24 lakh spot tests during the year. These units also ran 5,370 awareness programmes and 4,352 training sessions aimed at consumers and food vendors.

While outreach has improved, enforcement gaps and lab delays continue to undermine Gujarat’s food safety system — raising concerns about whether such operations are more symbolic than systemic.