In a significant move to strengthen food safety across the country, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has announced a 50% reduction in testing fees for its Pan-India surveillance programs. This decision is aimed at enhancing the monitoring of food products and identifying potential risks in both organized and unorganized sectors throughout all districts across the 36 States and Union Territories.

Under the powers granted by the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, FSSAI is tasked with collecting and analyzing scientific data related to biological risks, food contaminants, residue levels, and emerging risks. These surveillance activities are essential for monitoring food safety, conducting risk assessments, identifying hotspots of adulteration, and setting new standards to ensure the safety of food products consumed across India. The main highlights are:

• Pan-India Surveillance: FSSAI is conducting comprehensive nationwide surveillance to gather data for food safety monitoring and risk assessment, covering all districts in 36 States/UTs.

• Fee Reduction: The testing fees for the surveillance program have been reduced by 50%, as per the previous order No. 12014/01/2020 dated November 3, 2021, and its corrigendum dated January 19, 2023.

• GST Applicability: GST will be applicable on the revised rates as per the Central Government’s guidelines, subject to amendments over time.

This initiative by FSSAI reflects its ongoing commitment to improving food safety standards across the country by making surveillance programs more accessible and cost-effective.

This order has been issued with the approval of the Competent Authority.