Even as the Food Standard Safety Authority of India (FSSAI) on Monday sought testing of samples of various noodle brands, pasta and macaroni like Top Ramen, Wai Wai and Foodles to ascertain if they meet the compliance law, three ex-senior officials of the food regulator have written to Union Health Minister JP Nadda seeking a probe into product approvals that the apex body granted over the past two years.
The ex-directors of the FSSAI in a six-page letter have levelled serious allegations of malpractices in the authority and blamed a former chairperson of the commission, who recently retired, for lax food safety regulations. Signed by former FSSAI officials SS Ghonkrokta, Asim Chaudhry and Pradeep Chakravarty, the letter alleged bribery in return for product approvals and for the entry of MNC scientists into FSSAI in decision-making roles. The letter also highlighted acute staff shortage, law violation in recruitment of officials as well as lack of transparency in its functioning.
“Investigations must be started against corrupt practices and officials in FSSAI. There are many allegations of corruption in product approvals, licencing and imports. There have been instances of missing files of bribery allegations to get degree to issue licences or to approve products after taking bribe. If these issues are not taken to a logical conclusion, corruption will continue,” the letter says.
The officials also questioned the FSSAI stand of following international standards for food which were advantageous to the foreign companies and MNCs but proving detrimental to the local food producers. The allegations have come at a time when the FSSAI — after banning Nestle India ltd’s all variants of Maggi noodles terming them as “unsafe and hazardous” for human consumption — has ordered testing of various noodle brands, pasta and macaroni brands of seven companies to find if they meet the prescribed food standards.
“Various test results on Maggi and some other similar products have raised serious health concerns. In view of the same, it would be advisable to draw regulatory samples for similar products for which product approvals have been granted by the FSSAI. These samples should be sent to the authorised labs for testing,” FSSAI CEO YS Malik said in a letter to Commissioners of Food Safety in all states and UTs.