FSSAI Takes Stringent Measures to Ensure Food Safety at Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has implemented comprehensive measures to ensure the availability of safe and hygienic food for millions of devotees attending the Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj. With the deployment of Food Safety Officers, Mobile Food Testing Labs known as "Food Safety on Wheels," and public awareness initiatives, FSSAI is playing a pivotal role in maintaining food safety standards during this grand religious gathering.

In collaboration with the Food Safety and Drug Administration of Uttar Pradesh, FSSAI has stationed 10 Mobile Food Testing Labs across the fairgrounds. These labs, staffed with skilled food analysts, are conducting on-the-spot testing of food items to detect adulteration and spoilage. Simultaneously, they are educating Food Business Operators (FBOs), street vendors, and the public about the importance of safe food practices, creating a safer food environment for everyone.

Maha Kumbh area is divided into five zones and 25 sectors, with 56 Food Safety Officers (FSOs) deployed to monitor and enforce hygiene and safety standards. Each sector is under the watchful eyes of two FSOs, while a Chief Food Safety Officer (CFSO) oversees each zone. These efforts are centrally coordinated from a dedicated office located on Sankat Mochan Marg in Sector 24, ensuring seamless operations and swift response to any food safety concerns.

To maintain high food safety standards, regular inspections are being carried out at hotels, dhabas, and small food stalls. Officers are diligently checking food quality, raw materials, and cooking methods. Prompt actions are being taken to address complaints and prevent food-related risks. Essential food items like rice, sugar, and wheat flour are routinely tested, with samples collected from designated storage and distribution points and analyzed at the Regional Public Health Laboratory in Varanasi.

Adding an interactive touch to their efforts, FSSAI has set up a pavilion to engage devotees and vendors. Activities at the pavilion include street plays (Nukkad Nataks) on food safety, live quizzes on nutrition, and informative sessions about issues such as food adulteration, licensing, and training.

These initiatives aim to spread awareness and empower individuals with knowledge about safe food practices.