When did the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) come into being?

2008. Two years after the enactment of the Food Safety and Standards Act.

As per media reports between September 2020 and April 2024, food safety authorities in the European Union have found contamination in how many products which are linked to India?

527 products. Most of them are nuts and sesame seeds (313), herbs and spices (60), dietetic foods (48) and other food products (34).

Why is FSSAI in the news this week?

FSSAI has increased the default limit for pesticide residues in spices to 0.1 mg/kg last month, a ten-fold increase over the previous 0.01 mg/kg.

Which countries have suspended sales of three spice blends made by Indian spice brands for fish curry?

Hong Kong and Singapore have raised concerns about carcinogenic additives.

Other than the Southeast Asian countries, has anyone else raised the red flag?

Over the past six months, US customs have declined entry to 31% spice-related shipments over salmonella contamination.

The US refusal rate has doubled in the past one year. The EU too has, reportedly, placed food items originating from India under the scanner. What has been FSSAI's response?

FSSAI has ordered its officials to conduct "extensive inspections, sampling and testing at all the manufacturing units".

FSSAI is conducting checks for the presence of which substance?

Ethylene oxide. Appropriate actions will be initiated as fit after testing is completed.

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has asked the FSSAI to conduct a thorough review about what?

FSSAI has to scrutinise the sugar content in baby food formulas, following a report exposing the presence of high levels of sugar in Nestle's Cerelac.

Why is Nestle's Cerelac in India in the news?

Similar products which are sold in Europe do not contain added sugars. Currently, Nestlé controls 20% of the baby-food market, which is valued at USD70 billion.

Can you guess the Indian beverage giant that has added a blend of Sunflower Oil and Palmolein Oil in its portfolio?

PepsiCo India. The company initiated trials of a blend of Sunflower Oil and Palmolein Oil in certain parts of its portfolio last year, and is one the few players in the food industry in India to do so. Pepsico ensures the ingredients are listed on every product the company sells in India, allowing consumers to make conscious decisions.

Most Indian consumers are aware of Maggi, but what happened in the Vital Neutraceuticals case in 2015?

The food authority's actions were struck down by courts for procedural shortcomings.