FSSAI Issues Fresh Advisory on Safe Disposal of Unsafe and Expired Food

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a fresh advisory to ensure environmentally safe and legally compliant disposal of seized, expired, and rejected food items. This step comes after recent reports of improper dumping of such waste into rivers and natural water bodies, posing risks to public health and the environment. The advisory reinforces earlier instructions issued on 21 December 2020.

Why Proper Disposal Matters

Proper disposal of unsafe or expired food is essential to prevent it from re-entering the food supply chain, protect consumers’ health, and avoid environmental pollution. FSSAI emphasises that mishandling such waste can lead to contamination, public health hazards, and misuse of unsafe food products. FSSAI has clearly prohibited the disposal of seized, expired, or rejected food items along with their packaging into rivers, lakes, ponds, or open lands. Such disposal is considered harmful, unsafe, and a violation of environmental and food safety regulations.

Approved Methods for Disposal

Authorities must use only recognised and environmentally safe disposal methods, in coordination with local municipal bodies or other statutory agencies.

• Use authorised incinerators that comply with CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board) norms.
• Maintain records of the incineration facility and process.
• Use only designated sanitary landfills equipped with leachate control systems.
• Biodegradable waste should be separated and composted whenever possible.
• Organic food waste should be processed through certified composting or biogas generation units.

Procedural Safeguards

To ensure transparency and prevent misuse, disposal activities must follow strict monitoring guidelines.

• Disposal must be supervised by the Food Safety Officer (FSO) or an authorised officer.
• The entire process should be recorded on video.
• Two independent witnesses must be present during disposal.
• A certificate of disposal must be submitted to the Designated Officer, with copies sent to the Commissioner of Food Safety and the concerned Food Business Operator (FBO).
• Designated Officers should identify suitable disposal facilities and share the list with the State/UT Commissioner of Food Safety.
• For large scale disposals, coordination with State Pollution Control Boards is required.

States and Union Territories must submit a monthly compliance report to FSSAI by the 5th of each month. Any deviations or violations must be clearly highlighted.

Official Notification

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