FSSAI Flags Unsafe Food Transport, Tightens Rules for Paneer, Meat and Fish

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a fresh advisory directing food businesses to maintain prescribed temperature conditions while handling, storing and transporting perishable food items, including khoa, paneer, meat and fish

. The October 18 directive also stresses hygienic transportation, food-grade packaging and proper records to prevent contamination and protect public health.

The advisory is significant for manufacturers, distributors, transporters, retailers and other food business operators (FBOs) involved in the supply chain of these products. FSSAI said it had come to its notice that such foods were sometimes being handled, stored or transported without appropriate temperature controls. FSSAI Proposes Science-based Pesticide Residue Limits for Tea.

What Does the FSSAI Advisory Require?

Under the advisory, food businesses have been directed to follow these measures:

• Temperature control: Maintain prescribed temperatures during procurement, storage, transportation, distribution and delivery.

• Hygienic vehicles: Use clean, covered vehicles suitable for transporting food products.

• Food-grade packaging: Use appropriate food-safe packaging materials and secondary packaging. Gunny bags and other unsuitable coverings should be avoided.

• Contamination prevention: Protect products from dust, moisture, pests, physical damage and cross-contamination during storage, loading, unloading and transit.

• Record maintenance: Maintain consignment traceability records and produce invoices or other relevant documents when requested by the competent authority.

Why Temperature Control Is Important for Paneer, Khoa, Meat and Fish

Khoa, a concentrated milk product widely used in Indian sweets, and paneer are perishable dairy products. Meat and fish are also susceptible to spoilage when stored or transported under unsuitable conditions. According to FSSAI, failure to maintain prescribed temperatures can encourage microbial growth and compromise food safety. The advisory aims to reduce these risks by ensuring that appropriate temperature and hygiene standards are followed throughout the supply chain. FSSAI Issues Notices to Major Manufacturers over Labelling, Advertising Violations.

FSSAI Cites Existing Food Safety Regulations

The regulator has referred to the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011, which require food business operators to maintain prescribed temperature and hygiene standards across relevant supply-chain activities.

FSSAI has warned that improper handling, storage and transportation of perishable food products would amount to non-compliance with the applicable hygiene and sanitary requirements. The latest advisory reiterates these obligations for businesses involved in the manufacture, packing, storage, transportation, distribution and sale of the specified foods. The advisory reinforces the need for food businesses to follow existing food safety requirements. Any enforcement action or penalty would depend on the applicable legal provisions and the circumstances of the violation.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 18, 2026 05:25 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).