Lok Sabha Question No. 5124 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-02
Subject: Alteration in Rock Salt
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Gurjeet Singh Aujla

## Government of India

## Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Department of Consumer Affairs

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5124

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.04.2025

## ALTERATION IN ROCK SALT

## 5124.   SHRI GURJEET SINGH AUJLA:

## Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the common sea salt is being artificially  coloured pink and falsely marketed as Himalayan Pink Rock Salt in Gujarat and if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (b) whether genuine rock salt is mined whereas salt in question is being chemically altered to resemble it, deceiving consumers and posing serious health risks and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  investigate  the  matter  to  ensure  strict  action  against  those involved and safeguard health and trust of millions of Indian consumers; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI B.L.VERMA)

(a) to (d) : Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 and Rules and Regulations framed thereunder lay down the quality  and  safety  standards  for  various  articles  of  food.  The  issues  related  to  food  safety,  adulteration, labelling violations, Quality control, inspections and penalties for violation of Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, Rules and Regulations are dealt by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) under the administrative control of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.   Implementation and enforcement of these standards primarily lies with the State/UT Governments.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is fully committed to ensure the availability of safe food products to the consumers across the country. Regular surveillance drives, monitoring, regulatory inspection and random sampling of various food products including salts are conducted throughout the year to check  quality  and  safety  parameters  including  testing  for  colours  in  food  products.  Any  Food  Business Operators found in contravention of the provisions of the FSS Act, 2006, and the rules and regulations made thereunder are liable to face penal actions such as penalty, prosecution, suspension or cancellation of licenses as per nature of contraventions. Details of samples lifted of salts and iodized salt and further actions taken during last year is given at Annexure.

*****

## ANNEXURE  REFERRED  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  to  (d)  OF  LOK  SABHA  UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5124 FOR 02.04.2025 REGARDING IMPLEMENTATION OF INDIAN STANDARDS.

## List of details of samples lifted of salts and iodized salt and further actions taken during last year is as under:-

| Year     | No. of Samples Analysed   | No. of non- conforming Samples   | Civil Cases    | Civil Cases   | Civil Cases   | Criminal Cases   | Criminal Cases   | Criminal Cases   |
|----------|---------------------------|----------------------------------|----------------|---------------|---------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|
| Year     | No. of Samples Analysed   | No. of non- conforming Samples   | Cases launched | Conviction    | Penalty (Rs)  | Cases launched   | Conviction       | Penalty (Rs)     |
| 2023 -24 | 2952                      | 277                              | 240            | 312           | 5831000       | 12               | 02               | 10000            |

Note: Samples analyzed/Cases launched/Conviction/Penalties may include data from previous Financial years.

*****