As it is the case with many regulatory agencies globally, they get audited from time to time. The report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), which was tabled to the parliament earlier last week, was everything but in favor of the FSSAI’s recent work.
The 102-page long report highlighted several major shortcomings:
- Lack of suitable equipment for food analysis
- Lack of skilled staff
- Lack of standards for regulating certain food items
- Poor infrastructure for sample collection
- Granting food operation licenses without full documentation
The devastating report revealed ‘systemic inefficiencies, including delays and deficiencies in the framing of various regulations and standards’.
One has to put such reports into perspective. Creating and enforcing food standards in a large and diverse country like India is everything but simple, and will take time. The country has come a long way from the ‘Dehli belly’ reputation to being considered having improved food safety standards.
Yet, there is still a long way to go. As a consequence of the report, more funds were allocated to improve the equipment level in state laboratories in India, and a request was filed with the government to create more staff positions.
This development should be seen an opportunity for equipment manufacturers as well as educators to increase the capacity of Indian government laboratories, helping the country to raise its food standards further.
The full report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India can be found on the CAG website.
