As food adulteration continues to plague Indian consumers, concerns over safety standards and regulatory efficacy have prompted public outcry and heightened scrutiny of food suppliers.
India, a nation known for its diverse culinary heritage, is grappling with severe issues surrounding food adulteration, prompting both consumer outrage and regulatory responses. This growing concern was highlighted recently when Laxmi Rajpurohit, a 22-year-old graphic designer from Bikaner, noticed unusual changes in the taste and consistency of the milk supplied by a reputable brand. In her quest for quality assurance, she resorted to home-testing methods recommended by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), but her experience underscores a broader issue: the inability of consumers to ensure the safety of food products before they reach their tables.
Rajpurohit employed simple tests, such as observing the milk’s viscosity and conducting an iodine test, which can indicate the presence of starch. However, these home tests cannot reveal the entire history of the milk, including whether it contains harmful additives or has been contaminated. Despite reporting her findings to the company, she has yet to receive a response, highlighting the potential disconnect between consumers and food producers.
Food adulteration in India extends beyond milk to a wide array of products, encompassing paraffin-wax-coated fruits, chemically ripened mangoes, and synthetic dairy products, among others. This widespread issue has contributed to a climate of mistrust among consumers. According to a recent report, approximately 34,388 out of 170,535 food samples tested in 2024-25 were found to be non-conforming. Of these, nearly 8,000 samples were classified as unsafe, raising alarms about public health and safety.
The Regulatory Landscape
The FSSAI has taken steps to address these concerns, including initiating legal action against Nestlé India for non-compliance with regulations regarding infant food products. This move reflects a growing recognition of the need to enforce stricter compliance within the food industry. The Supreme Court has also urged the FSSAI to implement front-of-pack labeling for unhealthy foods and enhance nutrition education in schools, aiming to empower consumers with better information about their food choices.
Nilesh Amritkar, managing director of Envirocare Labs, emphasized that while home tests can indicate certain problems, they cannot definitively prove whether food has been intentionally adulterated. For instance, the presence of detergent could result from either accidental contamination or deliberate adulteration, complicating the enforcement of food safety regulations.
In a country that leads global milk production, accounting for nearly 25% of the total output, the safety of dairy products is of paramount concern. In 2024-25, the FSSAI reported that of 33,405 milk samples tested, 12,780 were deemed non-conforming, a significant indicator of potential issues within the supply chain. The journey of milk from farmer to consumer is complex, often involving multiple intermediaries, which can obscure the source of contamination.
Consumer Awareness and Action
As consumers become increasingly aware of food adulteration, the demand for transparency and accountability has grown. Partha Nandy, a fifth-generation co-owner of a sweetmeat shop in Kolkata, noted the challenges faced by consumers who may not possess the expertise to discern quality. While his shop relies on longstanding relationships with suppliers, many consumers lack direct access to reliable sources of food.
Experts like Udai Kumar Saxena, a food safety accreditation assessor, advise consumers to check product labels and certification numbers, though they caution that an FSSAI license does not guarantee that every product has been laboratory-tested. The burden of ensuring food safety largely falls on manufacturers and regulators, raising questions about the effectiveness of current oversight mechanisms.
The Role of Testing Laboratories
Laboratories such as Equinox Labs play a crucial role in identifying food safety issues. Ashwin Bhadri, the founder and CEO, highlighted the importance of proactive testing before products reach consumers or are subjected to regulatory inspections. By pushing food businesses to regularly test their products and disclose quality reports, regulatory bodies aim to foster a culture of accountability within the food industry.
However, testing can be expensive, with individual consumers facing costs ranging from ₹500 to ₹25,000 for various tests. This financial barrier raises concerns about equitable access to food safety, as lower-income consumers may lack the resources to ensure the safety of their food.
Public Engagement and Future Directions
Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has initiated efforts to streamline the reporting of food safety complaints through an AI portal, encouraging public engagement in monitoring food quality. Recent social media campaigns have prompted consumers to tag the FDA when reporting food safety issues, demonstrating the potential for collective action in holding producers accountable.
Despite these efforts, significant challenges remain. The question of accountability in the food supply chain—whether it lies with manufacturers, regulators, or consumers—continues to dominate discussions on food safety. As the Indian food landscape evolves, the need for robust regulatory frameworks, enhanced consumer awareness, and collaborative engagement between stakeholders will be essential in addressing the pervasive issue of food adulteration.
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