Raids create fear, food safety law prioritises reform: Ex-Maharashtra FDA chief

The campaign, however, has also faced criticism from some quarters over what they describe as a “shoot first, talk later” approach. Even if you take action against a defaulter, the consumer may already have consumed the unhealthy product.

Recalling his tenure, he said the FDA had avoided excessive publicity and concentrated on helping establishments improve their practices. Zagade said the law laid down a graded process under which an improvement notice should first be issued to a non-compliant establishment.

What Happened

Its licence should be suspended only if it fails to make the required changes, he added. He argued that a campaign centred on raids and licence suspensions could create two misleading impressions.

• The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, marked a shift towards food quality and preventive action, he said.

• Zagade also referred to an adverse court ruling against the FDA in a Pune case, in which the department was reportedly fined ₹5 lakh for continuing the suspension of an establishment’s licence despite.

• If I prepare food at home and find cockroaches in the kitchen, will I shut down my kitchen?

Key Details

First, people may assume that no work was being done earlier and that unhygienic food is being served everywhere.

• Improving household food safety was therefore equally important, he said.

• Zagade stressed that while people consume some food at restaurants and roadside outlets, most meals are prepared and eaten in homes.

• He recalled a case from his tenure involving a well-known actor who endorsed a product claiming to cure knee pain.

Why It Matters

Second, Zagade warned that widespread fear among business owners could create opportunities for extortion and impersonation.

• The fact is that inspections and licence suspensions take place regularly.

What Reports Say

Coverage of the story so far points to:

• Continued reporting by India Today as more details emerge