23% milk and 28% packaged water samples of 6,649 tested in 2014-15 were unsafe as per FSSAI norms.
The packaged water and milk that you buy may not be as safe as claimed. Around 28% samples of packaged drinking water and about 23% milk samples tested during 2014-15 were found violating the food safety standards and norms, show government data.
“Some instances of sale of mineral water or packaged drinking water not conforming to the standards prescribed under the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSAI), 2006 and regulations thereunder and unlicensed packaged water, have come to the notice of FSSAI,” health minister JP Nadda told Rajya Sabha.
Replying to another question on adulterated milk, Nadda said out of 6,649 samples analysed in 2014-15, 1559 were found to be not conforming to the prescribed standards. In June last year, TOI had reported that the food safety regulator sounded a country-wide alert on adulteration of food commodities arid asked all states to “increase surveillance activities” with a special focus on milk, packaged drinking water and edible oil.
FSSAI had also asked food commissioners across the country to collect more samples of these products and send them for comprehensive testing. “The secretary, department of health and family welfare, has requested chief secretaries of all states/UTs to issue instructions to administrative and police authorities to extend all possible cooperation to the food safety authorities in carrying out surveillance activities,” Nadda said.
