FSSAI Seizes Food Worth ₹82 Crore in Nationwide Crackdown, Suspends Over 1,100 Licences
Nationwide festive-season inspections uncover thousands of tonnes of non-compliant food products, triggering major regulatory action across India.
New Delhi, November 8, 2026
India’s food safety regulator has intensified its nationwide crackdown on unsafe and non-compliant food products ahead of the festive season, seizing approximately 3,280 tonnes of food worth nearly ₹82 crore and suspending more than 1,100 food business licences.
According to reports published on November 8, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) conducted an extensive enforcement campaign between September 1 and November 5, working alongside State Food Safety Authorities across the country.
The operation focused on identifying food adulteration, substandard products, hygiene violations and businesses operating without complying with prescribed food safety regulations.
Thousands of Food Establishments Inspected
During the nationwide campaign, authorities inspected 56,431 food establishments across various states and Union Territories.
The enforcement drive resulted in the suspension of 1,133 food business licences and the cancellation of 52 licences. Authorities also sealed 314 establishments and initiated 410 prosecutions in connection with food safety violations.
Additionally, regulators issued 10,047 improvement notices to food businesses found failing to meet the required standards.
The extensive inspections demonstrate the increasing attention being given to food safety compliance during periods of heightened consumer demand.
Milk, Paneer, Ghee and Sweets Among Seized Products
The seized food products included several commonly consumed items, such as milk, paneer, edible oils, ghee, sweets, bakery products, chocolates, ice cream, namkeen, packaged foods and festive gift hampers.
These products are particularly important during the festive season, when households and businesses purchase larger quantities of food for celebrations and gifting.
Food safety authorities are increasingly focusing on ensuring that products sold in markets, supermarkets and online platforms meet prescribed safety and quality standards.
Food Safety Concerns During the Festive Season
Festive periods often bring increased demand for dairy products, sweets, edible oils and packaged food items.
This creates additional challenges for food safety authorities, particularly in monitoring food manufacturing units, storage facilities, distribution networks and retail outlets.
The latest enforcement campaign highlights the importance of maintaining proper hygiene, accurate labelling, safe storage conditions and compliance with food safety regulations.
Consumers are also encouraged to purchase food products from licensed establishments, check manufacturing and expiry dates, and avoid items with suspicious packaging, unusual colours or questionable quality.
Stronger Enforcement Across India
FSSAI stated that it would continue working with State Food Safety Authorities to improve compliance and strengthen food safety monitoring across the country.
The latest crackdown reflects the regulator’s continued efforts to prevent unsafe food products from reaching consumers and hold businesses accountable for violations.
With food safety becoming an increasingly important concern for consumers, the campaign
highlights the need for stronger quality controls throughout India’s food supply chain.
Source: Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Press Trust of India (PTI), Hindustan Times and Business Today.