Raising concerns over food adulteration and the effectiveness of food safety enforcement in India, the Supreme Court of India has asked the Centre and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to explain why a nationwide performance audit of the country’s food safety framework should not be conducted.

The Court’s observations come amid growing concerns regarding food adulteration, contamination, misbranding, and the enforcement of food safety regulations across states. During the hearing, the bench sought details on how effectively existing food safety laws are being implemented and monitored, and whether current regulatory mechanisms are sufficient to protect consumers.

The Court noted that despite a comprehensive legal framework under the Food Safety and Standards Act, concerns continue to emerge regarding unsafe food products and weak enforcement at various levels. It asked authorities to clarify whether an independent audit could help identify gaps in inspection systems, testing infrastructure, regulatory oversight, and compliance mechanisms.

Food safety remains a major public health issue in India. According to FSSAI data from previous food surveillance drives, thousands of food samples tested across the country have either failed quality standards or been found adulterated. Public health experts warn that consumption of contaminated food can lead to foodborne illnesses, nutritional deficiencies, chronic diseases, and other long term health complications.

The Court’s intervention is being viewed as significant, particularly as food safety concerns have gained prominence due to rising reports of adulterated dairy products, edible oils, spices, packaged foods, and beverages. Experts say stronger monitoring, regular inspections, and better laboratory capacity are essential for ensuring food quality and consumer safety.

Legal and public health observers believe a nationwide audit could provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of India’s food safety ecosystem and help strengthen accountability across regulatory agencies.

The matter is expected to have far-reaching implications for food regulation, public health governance, and consumer protection, as the Supreme Court continues to examine whether existing safeguards are adequately protecting millions of consumers across the country.