NEW DELHI: The Centre on Friday said that it does not have any information on whether any packaged food and infant nutrition products banned or reformulated abroad due to harmful content are being sold in the country.
Union Health and Family Welfare Minister JP Nadda answered the question posed by BJP MP Rao Rajendra Singh.
However, Nadda said that based on various media reports, inspections were conducted on manufacturing sites engaged in the production of infant food products in the country.
On scrutiny of the product labels, the added sugar was found to comply with the provisions under the Food Safety and Standards (Food for Infant Nutrition) Regulations 2020, which are in alignment with the international standards like CODEX and WHO guidelines.
Sharing data, the minister said, in 2024-25, 522 samples of infant milk substitutes and infant food were analysed.
"Of which 45 were found to be non-conforming, while five were unsafe, 18 were substandard," he stated.
He said 22 such samples were found to be misleading or having labelling defects. He also said that during this period, 23 convictions took place, while the government raised Rs. 2,47,000 in penalties.
In 2023-24, 231 such samples were tested, of which seven were found to be non-conforming. One was found to be sub-standard, while six had defects like labelling issues. Three convictions took place, and Rs. 2,70,000 penalties were raised.
In 2022-23, 389 samples were tested, and 30 were found to be non-confirming. Two were found to be unsafe, 11 were substandard, while 17 had various defects, including misleading labelling. Eight convictions took place, and Rs. 1,89,000 penalties were raised.
Nadda said inspections are conducted regularly at various manufacturing sites engaged in the production of infant products in the country to ensure compliance with the WHO recommendations and FSSAI Regulations.
Additionally, FSSAI has directed the states/UTs’ Food Safety Authorities to conduct legalised targeted special enforcement and surveillance drives, inspections and sampling activities throughout the year.
If any deviations from the standards or violations of the FSSR are observed, the defaulting FBOs are subject to regulatory action, including punitive measures as stipulated under the FSS Act 2006 and its associated rules.
