Rising food safety concerns in Punjab as 18% of samples fail quality standards in the past four years

With indesign table attached in CCI
Chandigarh: Punjab, a state known for its rich food culture, confronts a sobering reality: nearly one in five food samples tested over the past four years has failed to meet basic safety standards, raising alarms over enforcement failures and public health risks.
Govt data shared with the TOI shows that of the 22,616 food samples collected in Punjab since 2021, 4,070 — nearly 18% — were found to be non-compliant with safety norms. The Union health ministry disclosed the figures in response to a parliamentary query by BJP MP Mansukhbhai Dhanjibhai Vasava. The findings reveal an inconsistent but persistent threat. In 2021–22, 1,059 of 6,768 samples (15.7%) failed quality checks. The rate rose sharply in 2022–23, with 1,724 of 8,179 samples (21.1%) found non-compliant. In 2023–24, the failure rate dipped to 15.4% (929 out of 6,041 samples), but the current year has already seen 358 of 1,628 samples (22%) fall short of standards — the highest rate, so far.
Health experts warn that adulterated food products can cause a range of ailments — from nausea and diarrhoea to more serious conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and long-term digestive issues. While the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has not yet conducted a formal study on the health impacts of adulterated food, the health ministry has acknowledged its dangers.
Enforcement Lag
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (Fssai), the federal body responsible for food regulation, works with state govts to monitor food quality through inspections, sampling, and legal action against violators. To enhance reach in rural areas, the Fssai has introduced mobile labs under the ‘Food Safety on Wheels' (FSW) initiative.
But Punjab's 23 mobile labs — one for each district — remain underutilised largely. "Despite the accessibility and affordability of these labs, public awareness is very low," Punjab health minister Dr Balbir Singh said during the state budget session. "We must empower citizens to take initiative. These mobile units are equipped to test high-risk items like paneer, grains, milk, and spices, often for just ₹50."
Dr Balbir Singh urged local lawmakers to promote the use of these facilities in their constituencies, stressing the need for community engagement to fight food adulteration from the ground up. Food safety violations are known to spike during festive seasons, when demand surges and quality controls often falter. With contamination rates rising again in the financial year 2024–25, experts and officials alike warn that without stricter enforcement and better public participation, Punjab's culinary pride could become a public health liability.
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