Source: Center for Policy Research

Context

The theme for World Food Safety Day 2025, which is commemorated annually on June 7, is "Food Safety: Science in Action," highlighting India's transformation to a scientific, risk-based approach.

What is the theme of World Food Safety Day 2025?

Theme: “Food Safety: Science in Action.” It emphasizes the importance of applying science to ensure food safety.

India’s Evolving Approach to Food Safety

Shift from Adulteration to Risk-Based Framework

Earlier, food safety in India was governed by the Prevention of Food Adulteration (PFA) Act, 1954, which primarily focused on identifying whether food was adulterated or not.
This approach was largely qualitative, emphasizing prohibition rather than scientific assessment.
The introduction of the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSS Act), 2006 marked a paradigm shift towards a scientific, risk-based framework.
The establishment of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) institutionalized this modern approach, emphasizing risk assessment, risk management, and risk communication.

Adoption of International Scientific Standards

India has aligned its food safety regulations with international norms, notably those established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
This alignment ensures harmonization of standards globally and helps facilitate trade and public health protection.
For example, India now follows scientifically defined standards such as Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for pesticides and contaminants, and Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) values for various food additives and chemicals.
This adoption ensures food safety standards are evidence-based, transparent, and in line with global best practices.

Efforts to Strengthen Scientific Capacity

Recognizing the need for context-specific data, India is investing in generating indigenous toxicological data rather than relying solely on international studies.
Conducting Total Diet Studies (TDS) tailored to Indian dietary habits and environmental conditions helps in better risk evaluation.
These studies consider Indian-specific dietary patterns, consumption rates, and local environmental exposures, enabling the formulation of more accurate and relevant food safety regulations.
This approach improves the ability to protect consumers based on local realities rather than generalized assumptions.

Importance of India-Specific Toxicology Studies for Food Safety

Reflect Local Dietary Habits:

India’s diverse dietary patterns differ significantly from Western countries. International toxicology data may not accurately represent exposure risks due to variations in food consumption levels.

For example, an average Indian consumes more rice and spices, which may increase exposure to certain contaminants compared to Western diets.

Consider Unique Agricultural Practices:
India’s crop varieties, pesticide usage, and farming methods are distinct from global practices.

For instance, pesticide residues found on Indian-grown vegetables might differ considerably from those in Europe, necessitating tailored safety limits based on local agricultural realities.

Account for Environmental and Genetic Differences:
The Indian environment poses unique challenges affecting toxic exposure.

Variations in climate, water quality, and genetic factors influence how toxins impact health in Indian populations.
A notable example is the presence of heavy metal contamination in groundwater in many Indian regions, leading to higher cumulative toxin exposure not captured in international studies.

Changes to the FSSA Act

Changes in Food Regulation: The Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA) of 2006 marked a significant transition from an adulteration-focused strategy to a science-based regulatory framework.
The Act established the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) as the primary food safety regulator.
Local Application: Drawing on the Codex Alimentarius Commission (a joint initiative of WHO and FAO), the FSSAI incorporated worldwide best practices into India's food safety system.

Scientific Frameworks: The FSSAI developed a modern, risk-based approach through MRLs (Maximum Residue Limits) for pesticides, acceptable limits for food additives, and standards for natural and chemical pollutants

Prevention: This was a significant institutional transformation that shifted from reactive adulteration control to proactive, science-driven regulation.
Pesticide control is based on scientific evidence, with residue levels up to 0.01 mg/kg considered safe.
Permissible limits for veterinary medication residues were established using exposure assessment and toxicological data.
Aligning with Global Standards: To achieve international parity in food regulation, India began by aligning with global scientific consensus and trade needs.
Risk-Based limitations: The previous "zero tolerance" concept has been replaced by scientifically justifiable limitations based on risk assessment procedures.
Defensible Standards: This transition allowed India to participate significantly in global food trade using scientifically defensible standards, hence increasing regulatory credibility.

What are Toxicology Studies?

These are scientific assessments that determine the adverse effects of chemicals or substances (such as pesticides, additives, and pollutants) on living organisms, particularly humans.

Challenges Associated with India in Pesticide Residue Management

Lack of Toxicological Studies:
India faces a critical shortage of indigenous toxicological studies necessary to set Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) and Acceptable Daily Intakes (ADIs) tailored to local dietary patterns and health baselines.
Currently, India relies heavily on imported safety benchmarks derived from foreign populations, which may not accurately reflect the Indian context.
Exposure Estimates Variation:
Dietary exposure assessments differ significantly between regions. For instance, the average wheat intake in Europe is about 200g/day, whereas in India, it is approximately 400g/day, effectively doubling exposure to any pesticide residues for Indian consumers compared to Europeans.
Absence of Total Diet Study (TDS):
India has not conducted a Total Diet Study (TDS), which is a comprehensive analysis of chemical exposure through the entire daily diet.
The absence of TDS creates a significant gap in understanding cumulative chemical risks from food.
WHO Warning on Cumulative Risks:
The World Health Organization (WHO, 2020) highlighted that countries without a TDS often misjudge cumulative risks, indicating India's current risk assessment capacity is limited and inadequate.
Public Confusion Over Scientific Units:
Terms like MRLs and ADIs are expressed in ppm (parts per million) or ppb (parts per billion), which are often confusing for the general public. This scientific jargon can cause misunderstanding and fear among consumers.
Communication Gap and Public Mistrust:
The disconnect between scientific safety values and public understanding can lead to panic and mistrust.
For example, in 2019, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) revised pesticide MRLs, triggering alarming media headlines such as "dangerous food," despite the revisions being scientifically valid.

Issue with Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)

Regulatory Lag: Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) demonstrates how outdated food laws can contradict established research and mislead consumers.
Verdict on MSG: In 1971, the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) declared MSG safe.
1987: Assigned "ADI Not Specified"—indicating no health concerns at any level of use.
Global Acceptance: China, the United States, and Japan fully accept the safety of MSG and allow its unlimited usage in food, citing decades of scientific proof.
Regulatory Inconsistency: In India, MSG use was initially limited to meat items.
Gradually increased, but still has the "Not recommended for infants" warning—without scientific basis.
Glutamate, the active component of MSG, is naturally found in mushrooms, tomatoes, cheese, garlic, and even breast milk. MSG is chemically equivalent to the natural sources.
Public Chemophobia: When rules portray MSG as harmful, they promote "chemophobia," an unjustified dread of harmless chemical additives in food.
Regulatory Perception: This defies scientific fact: MSG is chemically identical to naturally occurring glutamate in tomatoes, cheese, and breast milk.
Such warnings lead to unneeded consumer confusion and market distortion.
Persistent unscientific labeling erodes customer trust and undermines the integrity of India's science-based food regulatory system.
Economic costs: Outdated MSG limitations harm the domestic food industry and generate competitive disadvantages abroad. Violate science-based trade rules.
Case Study: The MSG debate shows India's delayed modification of antiquated policies that contradict current scientific consensus.
Obsolete Regulations: Many scientifically obsolete rules are still in effect due to institutional inertia, political hesitation, and fear of public backlash.
Capacity Gaps: One significant obstacle is regulators' lack of updated risk assessment training, which limits their capacity to modernize regulations.

What is MSG?

MSG is a flavor enhancer that is widely added to meals to increase the umami taste (a savory flavor). It is the sodium salt of glutamic acid, a naturally occurring amino acid found in numerous foods.

Way Forward

Two-Tier Regulatory System

India faces a two-tier regulatory system, where some regulations are science-aligned, but many remain outdated.

Research Investment

There is an urgent need to invest heavily in domestic toxicology laboratories to reduce dependence on foreign scientific data.

Dietary Exposure Studies

Conducting exposure assessments based on Indian dietary patterns is essential to accurately assess chemical risks unique to India.

Implementation of Total Diet Study (TDS)

A comprehensive TDS should be launched at the national level to capture cumulative chemical exposure from the complete daily diet.

Practice Question

Q. Briefly discuss the status and significance of the food processing industry in India.

Maintaining India’s Progress in Food Safety Standards