FOOD SAFETY IN INDIA: REGULATORY CHALLENGES, CONSUMER AWARENESS, AND THE ROLE OF FSSAI IN DAKSHINA KANNADA DISTRICT

Food safety has emerged as a paramount concern in India, where rapid urbanization, population growth, and increased demand for processed foods have created fertile ground for food adulteration and contamination. Despite having a comprehensive regulatory framework in place, particularly under the aegis of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), multiple systemic challenges continue to undermine the effectiveness of these regulations. This research paper investigates the multifaceted issue of food adulteration in India, with a special focus on the Dakshina Kannada district, exploring both regulatory mechanisms and consumer awareness levels. It aims to evaluate the implementation of food safety standards and identify critical gaps that allow adulteration to persist in the supply chain.