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FSSAI CEO reviews food safety enforcement activities in Maharashtra
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Tuesday, 01 July, 2025, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Our Bureau, New Delhi
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Chief executive officer of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, while chairing a comprehensive review meeting in Mumbai, Maharashtra, has directed that 100 per cent inspection of Packaged Drinking Water (PDW) facilities must be ensured. The meeting focused on reviewing food safety enforcement activities across the state of Maharashtra. It took place at the Institute of Training of Consumer Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (ITCFSAN), Mumbai - FSSAI’s premier training and capacity-building institute.
While issuing the directive for 100 per cent inspection of Packaged Drinking Water (PDW) units, the CEO also stressed the importance of conducting bi-annual compliance checks at all such premises to safeguard public health and uphold the highest standards of food safety. Rao also underlined the importance of consistent and effective enforcement to uphold food safety across the state. He emphasised the need to promote good hygiene practices among street food vendors, aligning with FSSAI’s broader efforts under the Eat Right India movement to ensure safe and hygienic food in public spaces.
During the meeting, the CEO appreciated the robust enforcement actions of Maharashtra FDA, including sampling and inspections. The CEO praised Maharashtra’s FoSTaC training of Anganwadi workers and street food vendors as a model for replication, and urged swift rollout of new Mobile Food Testing Vans to boost field-level surveillance. The CEO underlined that Prime Minister’s appeal to "Reduce Oil by 10%" must reach every household in Maharashtra, encouraging healthier dietary habits.
The meeting witnessed active participation from key stakeholders across central and state enforcement bodies. The commissioner of food safety, Maharashtra, accompanied by his team of joint commissioners (food) cum adjudicating officers and licencing authorities from the Thane and Konkan divisions, participated in the deliberations. Pritee Chaudhary, director of FSSAI’s western region office, was also present, along with senior officials from the FSSAI Headquarters and regional office.
A detailed performance review was conducted with the commissioner of food safety, designated officers, and food safety officers from across the state. Emphasising that food safety forms the foundation of public health and well-being, the CEO underscored that any compromise in enforcement would not be acceptable. All officers were encouraged to put forth their best efforts in ensuring robust food safety enforcement and protecting public health.
In a significant step towards strengthening Maharashtra’s food safety enforcement framework, 194 newly appointed food safety officers (FSOs) were issued appointment orders on World Food Safety Day earlier this month. Their induction is expected to substantially enhance the state’s surveillance, inspection, and regulatory capabilities at the grassroots level.
Providing an update on recent developments, Rajesh J Narvekar, food safety commissioner of Maharashtra, informed that the ‘Eat Right Place of Worship’ certification has been awarded to Swamy Samarth Trust and the Shirdi Sai Baba Temple. These recognitions reflect commendable efforts in implementing food safety and hygiene measures in places that serve large numbers of devotees.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment from both central and state authorities to work in close coordination for ensuring the effective implementation of food safety regulations and creating a culture of compliance across the food ecosystem.
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