FSSAI Orders Intensified Checks and On-Spot Testing To Curb Food Adulteration During Navratri and Diwali
FSSAI has directed states and UTs to intensify festive-season surveillance, inspections and on-the-spot testing of sweets, dairy products, oils and other high-demand foods ahead of Navratri and Diwali. The September 29 order prioritises hotspots, mobile testing vans and real-time reporting to curb adulteration and protect consumers.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has directed state and Union Territory authorities to step up surveillance, inspections and on-the-spot testing of food products during the upcoming festive season. The move aims to prevent the sale of adulterated, counterfeit and unsafe items as demand rises for sweets, dairy products and other popular foods ahead of Navratri and Diwali.
The directive was issued in a letter dated September 29 by Dr Amit Sharma, Executive Director (Compliance), to Commissioners of Food Safety in all states and Union Territories and FSSAI’s regional directors. It has been marked as “most important". FSSAI Orders Everest Cumin Powder Recall Over Excess Pesticide Residues.
FSSAI Orders Intensified Checks and On-Spot Testing During Navratri and Diwali
FSSAI directs intensified festive surveillance, inspections, and on-the-spot testing to ensure safe, quality, and adulteration-free food during the festive season: FSSAI https://t.co/GzWykFNzBl
— ANI (@ANI) October 5, 2026
Focus on High-Demand Products
FSSAI noted that the festive period typically sees a sharp increase in demand for sweets, savouries, beverages, edible oils, and milk and milk products such as ghee, khoa and paneer. This surge creates greater risk of adulteration and circulation of unsafe or counterfeit goods. Authorities have been told to prioritise inspections and sampling of milk and milk products, sweets, snacks and savouries (including namkeen, papad and fryums), edible oils, beverages and ghee. The list of commodities can be adjusted based on local consumption patterns - for instance, kuttu atta or singhada atta in northern and western regions.
Targeted Inspections and Mobile Testing Units
Enforcement officials, including designated officers, food safety officers and central food safety officers, have been instructed to conduct inspections and sampling in their jurisdictions throughout the festive period. Special attention is to be given to identified hotspots and sensitive locations. Wherever available, Food Safety on Wheels (mobile testing vans) should be deployed at prominent marketplaces or in response to specific intelligence. These units will support rapid on-the-spot testing, improve vigilance, raise consumer awareness and help build public confidence in the safety of available food. FSSAI Finds Dirt, Pests and Poor Storage at Creative Bakers and Confectioners; Licence Suspended.
Real-time Digital Reporting Required
All data on inspections, sampling and outcomes must be updated on FSSAI’s online systems - FoSCoS and FoSCoRIS - in real time. This requirement is intended to ensure accountability and provide a clear record of enforcement activity. The directive follows similar seasonal drives in previous years and comes amid ongoing state-level enforcement actions. Several states have already reported seizures and destruction of large quantities of suspected adulterated dairy products in recent weeks, particularly in the Delhi-NCR region.
FSSAI’s letter underscores the need for heightened vigilance to protect public health during a period of elevated food demand.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 05, 2026 08:45 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
