In a powerful intervention during the ongoing Rajya Sabha session, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Swati Maliwal raised an alarm over the deteriorating quality of food consumed by millions of Indians every day. From the excessive use of harmful palm oil to the widespread sale of analogue (fake) paneer and unhygienic momo production, Maliwal urged the government to treat these food safety violations as serious public health threats.
Calling for urgent regulatory intervention, Maliwal stressed that food adulteration and unsafe processing practices are risking the lives of citizens, especially children and the urban poor, who rely heavily on cheap, readily available street and packaged foods.
“Palm oil has silently entered our food system. From biscuits to namkeens, it’s everywhere yet most people don’t even know what they’re consuming. It’s cheap for companies, but deadly for the common man. It’s linked to heart disease, diabetes, and obesity,” she warned.
She advocated mandatory front-of-pack labelling, restrictions on palm oil in children’s foods, and nationwide public awareness campaigns to educate consumers about its long-term effects.
Turning to the alarming rise in analogue paneer, Maliwal criticised the use of synthetic dairy substitutes made using vegetable fats and chemicals, misleading consumers while posing severe health risks.
“People think they’re buying paneer, but it’s a lab-processed chemical block. This is consumer fraud and a health hazard rolled into one. How can we ensure food safety if even basic dairy is not pure?” Maliwal asked.
She demanded that the FSSAI conduct random checks and stricter surveillance of dairy and paneer sold in local shops, eateries, and supply chains.
Addressing the issue of momo production, Maliwal painted a disturbing picture of illegal units operating from slums and unhygienic areas with no sanitation protocols.
Maliwal cautioned, “If you saw how momos are made in some units with flies hovering, no gloves, dirty containers you would never eat one again. Yet they are sold for ?10-20 near every school and college. This is a slow poison.”
Food safety professionals across India have supported Maliwal’s call for action, emphasising the urgent need for stricter enforcement and public awareness.
Bharat Sawnani, F&B consultants said, “Swati Maliwal has brought up the most crucial food safety issues of our time. Palm oil, if not used judiciously, is a silent killer. We need strong front-of-pack labelling laws and a clear definition of analogue paneer under FSSAI regulations.”
Nilesh Lele, president, Chamber for Advancement of Small & Medium Businesses (CASMB), said, “Street food hygiene and mass-produced snacks should be under constant surveillance. Awareness among food business operators is key, but we also need a zero-tolerance policy for repeat offenders.”
Umesh Kamble, founder and chief executive officer, Farm to Fork Solutions, said, “Fake paneer and filthy momo production are serious threats, especially in urban areas. It’s high time for state food authorities to conduct surprise audits and act against illegal production hubs.”
Key Demands Raised by Swati Maliwal
- Mandatory front-of-pack labelling for palm oil and trans fats
- Ban or strict regulation of analogue (synthetic) paneer in retail and hospitality
- Raids and shutdowns of unlicensed momo production units
- Formation of a national food safety enforcement task force
- Inclusion of food safety awareness in school curriculums
In her closing remarks, Maliwal said, “We talk a lot about ease of doing business. But what about the ease of living a healthy life? Let’s not wait for another public health disaster. The government must act decisively to ban harmful ingredients, enforce hygiene, and prioritise consumer health over corporate profits.”
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is expected to respond to these critical issues in the forthcoming session of Parliament.
