Lok Sabha Question No. 3230 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-08
Subject: Cases of Adulterated Chocolates
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Bhausaheb Rajaram Wakchaure

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRY OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3230 TO BE ANSWERED ON 8 TH AUGUST, 2025

## CASES OF ADULTERATED CHOCOLATES

## †3230. SHRI BHAUSAHEB RAJARAM WAKCHAURE:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken cognizance of production of adulterated food items in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the number of such cases which have come to the notice of the Government during the last five years, year-wise;
- (c) whether rules relating to hygiene and quality control are being effectively enforced over companies producing chocolates in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the details of complaints received by the Union Government and State Government relating to adulterated or contaminated chocolates during the last five years and the current year, year-wise and States/UTs-wise;
- (e) the action taken/proposed to be taken by the Government so far on such complaints along with the punitive measures taken against the erring companies;
- (f) whether the Government is considering to bring special laws or strict regulations to ensure hygiene in food products such as chocolate; and
- (g) if so the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a) to (g): Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is mandated to lay down science based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption. To ensure compliance with the set standards, limits, & other statutory requirements under the FSS Act, 2006 and Food Safety and Standards Regulations (FSSR),

FSSAI, through its four regional offices and State/UT food safety authorities, conducts regular localized/targeted special enforcement and surveillance drives including National Annual Surveillance Plan (NASP), inspections and sampling activities throughout the year. If any deviations from the standards or violations to the FSSR are observed, the defaulting Food Business Operators (FBOs) are subject to regulatory actions, including punitive measures, as stipulated under the FSS Act 2006 and its associated rules. Details of the action taken against the defaulting Food Business Operators for non-compliance in the last 5 years is provided in Annexure-I.

Every Food Business Operator has to follow the Schedule 4 sanitary and hygienic requirements and other requirements as prescribed under Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulation, 2011 based on the type and scale of the food business. Non-compliance with these requirements result in regulatory actions as specified under the Regulation.

All consumer complaints received by DOs/FSOs are tackled in a swift and efficient manner and regulatory action is taken as per the provisions laid under FSS Act 2006.

In cases, where the food samples are found non-conforming, penal actions are initiated against the defaulting Food Business Operators (FBOs) as per the provisions of FSS Act 2006, Rules and Regulations made thereunder which includes punitive measure viz. Adjudication & Prosecution which are judicial in nature, wherein penalty/punishment are imposed as per chapter IX of the FSS Act, 2006.

FSSAI, continuously reviews and strengthens food safety regulations, including for products like chocolate, to ensure hygiene and consumer safety.

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Annexure-I

| Details of Enforcement for last 5 Years. (including Chocolate)   | Details of Enforcement for last 5 Years. (including Chocolate)   | Details of Enforcement for last 5 Years. (including Chocolate)   | Details of Enforcement for last 5 Years. (including Chocolate)   |
|------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Year                                                             | No. of Samples Analysed                                          | No. of Samples found non-conforming                              | No. of Cases launched                                            |
| 2024-25                                                          | 1,70,535                                                         | 34,388                                                           | 31.407                                                           |
| 2023-24                                                          | 1,70,513                                                         | 33,808                                                           | 30,747                                                           |
| 2022-23                                                          | 1,77,511                                                         | 44,626                                                           | 29,652                                                           |
| 2021-22                                                          | 1,44,345                                                         | 32,934                                                           | 20,108                                                           |
| 2020-21                                                          | 1,07,829                                                         | 28,347                                                           | 15,323                                                           |