Has the Gujarat government extended the deadline for food safety act suggestions?
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Synopsis
The Gujarat government has announced an extension to the deadline for public feedback on amendments to the Food Safety and Standards Act. This move aims to encourage broader participation and ensure the public has access to safe food. Stakeholders now have until September 22 to submit their suggestions and objections.
Key Takeaways
- Deadline Extended: Citizens now have until September 22 to submit feedback.
- Public Participation: The government encourages wider involvement from stakeholders.
- Safety Focus: Amendments aim to enhance food quality and safety standards.
- Significant Seizures: Authorities have intensified oversight, seizing 351 tonnes of suspicious food items.
- Unsafe Samples: Out of 60,448 tested samples, 1.45 percent failed, highlighting food safety concerns.
Gandhinagar, Aug 20 (NationPress) The Gujarat government has extended the deadline for both citizens and stakeholders involved in the food industry to present their objections and suggestions concerning the proposed amendments to certain penal provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The new deadline is now September 22, as confirmed by officials. According to the Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA), the state is contemplating amendments tailored to local needs to ensure the effective execution of the central law (Act No. 34 of 2006).
Officials stated that the goal is to strengthen the provisions to guarantee that the public has access to safe and quality food.
Initially, the draft amendment was made available on the FDCA website under the Health and Family Welfare Department at https://gujhealth.gujarat.gov.in/citizen-corner.htm, with a deadline for feedback set for August 22.
However, to facilitate broader participation and to allow additional time for food business operators, associations, and citizens to provide their feedback, the government has granted an extra 30 days.
The FDCA encourages citizens and stakeholders to take advantage of this extended timeframe and submit their inputs online through the official portal before the revised deadline. Officials emphasized that the feedback will be pivotal in shaping amendments aimed at safeguarding public health and ensuring food quality in Gujarat.
In Gujarat during 2024-25, food safety authorities heightened their oversight, seizing an astonishing 351 tonnes of questionable food items—including ghee, mawa, sweets, and grains—worth Rs 10.5 crore during over 190 raids, while also disposing of 15.3 tonnes of spoiled goods valued at Rs 26 lakh.
Out of 60,448 food samples tested across the state, 1.45 percent failed, with 0.17 percent declared unsafe for consumption. In separate operations, authorities confiscated 4,000 kg of adulterated ghee worth Rs 17.5 lakh in Banaskantha, alongside 2,700 kg of suspect ghee valued at over Rs 13 lakh from outlets in Surendranagar.
Moreover, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation identified alarming levels of adulteration in paneer, with 8 out of 10 unsafe samples linked to paneer products—out of 26 substandard samples collected between January and mid-April, six were deemed outright unsafe.
Point of View
It's essential to recognize that the extension provided by the Gujarat government reflects a commitment to public health and safety. Encouraging wider participation from citizens and stakeholders is a proactive approach to shaping effective food safety regulations. The steps taken by the government will ultimately enhance food quality and safety standards, which is a priority for the nation.
NationPress
30/08/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new deadline for submitting suggestions on the Food Safety Act amendments?
The new deadline for submitting suggestions is September 22.
Why has the Gujarat government extended the deadline?
The extension aims to encourage broader participation and allow more time for feedback from food business operators and citizens.
What is the purpose of the proposed amendments?
The proposed amendments aim to strengthen provisions to ensure public access to safe and quality food.
Where can citizens submit their objections and suggestions?
Submissions can be made online through the FDCA's official portal.
What has been the impact of food safety oversight in Gujarat?
Food safety authorities have seized large quantities of suspicious food items and flagged numerous unsafe products in recent raids.
