FSSAI introduces food safety measures for Maha Kumbh 2025
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has deployed food safety officers and mobile food testing labs (Food Safety on Wheels) to ensure food safety during the Maha Kumbh 2025 — one of the largest religious gatherings, with up to 40 million visitors.
22 Jan 2025 | By WhatPackaging? Team
The whole congregation has been divided into five zones and 25 sectors, with 56 food safety officers
FSSAI is maintaining food safety standards by dividing the whole congregation area into five zones and 25 sectors, deploying 56 food safety officers—two per sector. Each zone is being supervised by a Chief Food Safety Officer.
In addition to this, it has collaborated with the Uttar Pradesh Food Safety and Drug Administration to deploy 10 mobile food testing labs with food analysts for on-the-spot testing of adulteration and spoilage. There are regular inspections of hotels, dhabas and food stalls, and complaints are reportedly being addressed promptly, with checks on cooking methods and raw material quality.
Essential items like rice, sugar, and wheat flour are regularly sampled at designated distribution and storage points for testing at the regional public health laboratory in Varanasi.
FSSAI has also set up an interactive pavilion featuring Nukkad Natak performances, food safety quizzes, and awareness campaigns on adulteration, licensing, and training to promote hygienic food practices.