Kajal Aggarwal on FSSAI corruption: 'This puts the nation's health at risk'
Synopsis
Kajal Aggarwal used her film promotions to call out FSSAI corruption — and name a reformer doing something about it. Her spotlight on FDA Commissioner Tukaram Munde, who conducted over 700 raids in just 22 days, cuts through the usual celebrity noise and lands on a real accountability story inside India's food regulatory system.
Key Takeaways
Kajal Aggarwal publicly criticised FSSAI corruption during promotions for 'The India Story' , releasing 24 July 2026 .
She warned that lax food safety enforcement puts India’s health at risk, especially for children and young adults.
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Munde conducted over 700 raids in just 22 days of his posting, according to Aggarwal.
The FSSAI has faced scrutiny for allegedly issuing safety certificates to substandard food products.
Aggarwal expressed hope that the film would help raise public awareness about food safety issues in India.
Actress Kajal Aggarwal has spoken out against corruption within the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), saying the regulator's failure to uphold safety norms poses a direct threat to public health — particularly for India's vast young population. Her remarks came during promotions for her upcoming film 'The India Story', set to release on 24 July 2026.
What Kajal Aggarwal Said
Speaking candidly, Aggarwal said, “So it is a sad reality. Even I have heard of these things, and bad practices, and a lot of things going wrong. This definitely does put the nation’s health at risk. Especially, considering that we have the youngest population here, and we have so many young adults and children in our nation who need to be fed.”
She also pointed to overlapping public health vulnerabilities: “We do not live in the best of sanitation conditions. So, that is another risk. There is pollution, there are stress factors. It is all a mixed bag. So, it is definitely not the easiest of environments for us to navigate.”
A Reformer in Focus: Tukaram Munde
Aggarwal also highlighted a rare note of optimism, citing Tukaram Munde, the newly appointed FDA Commissioner, as an example of systemic change from within. “He governs the entire food channels, and he has carried out more than 700 raids in 22 days of his posting,” she said. “So there are genuine people, there are honest people, who are actually fighting the good fight.”
Munde’s aggressive enforcement record has drawn attention in food safety circles, with his early tenure signalling a departure from the regulatory leniency that critics say has long plagued the FSSAI.
FSSAI Under Scrutiny
The FSSAI has faced mounting public criticism in recent months over allegations that it granted food safety certificates to substandard products, flouting established safety norms. The controversy has renewed debate about the independence and accountability of India’s food regulatory architecture, which governs everything from packaged goods to street food.
Notably, Aggarwal’s comments come at a time when food adulteration cases and questionable certifications have drawn parliamentary attention and media scrutiny alike.
About 'The India Story'
'The India Story' is produced by Swati Vinayak Saindane, Anita Jadhav, Vinayak Saindane, Kalpesh Shah, Devyani Khorate, and Prem Joshi. The film arrives in cinemas on 24 July 2026. Aggarwal expressed hope that the film would serve a broader civic purpose: “I just hope that people’s conscience really evolves through the course of our film.”
With the release weeks away, the actress’s outspoken stance on food safety is likely to shape the conversation around the film’s themes and its reception among audiences.
Point of View
22 days) shifts the conversation from vague outrage to verifiable accountability. The deeper issue is structural: the FSSAI’s dual mandate of promoting the food industry and policing it has long created conflicts of interest that individual commissioners, however diligent, cannot resolve alone. India’s food safety architecture needs institutional reform, not just energetic enforcers.
NationPress
5 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Kajal Aggarwal say about FSSAI corruption?
Kajal Aggarwal said FSSAI’s lapses in food safety enforcement ‘definitely put the nation’s health at risk,’ particularly for children and young adults. She made the remarks during promotions for her film ‘The India Story,’ releasing on 24 July 2026.
Who is Tukaram Munde and why is he significant?
Tukaram Munde is the newly appointed FDA Commissioner who, according to Aggarwal, conducted over 700 raids in just 22 days of his posting. His aggressive enforcement record has been cited as a rare example of accountability within India’s food regulatory system.
Why is the FSSAI under scrutiny?
The FSSAI has reportedly been granting food safety certificates to substandard products and flouting established safety norms, drawing public and parliamentary criticism. The controversy has reignited debate about the independence of India’s food regulatory framework.
What is 'The India Story' about and when does it release?
‘The India Story’ is an upcoming film starring Kajal Aggarwal, produced by Swati Vinayak Saindane, Anita Jadhav, Vinayak Saindane, Kalpesh Shah, Devyani Khorate, and Prem Joshi. It is set to release in cinemas on 24 July 2026.
How does India’s poor sanitation compound food safety risks?
Aggarwal noted that inadequate sanitation conditions, pollution, and stress create a compounded health risk environment for Indians. She argued that food safety failures by the FSSAI add another layer of danger to an already vulnerable public health landscape.
