The Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration Department is intensifying its enforcement of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, to safeguard the quality and safety of drugs, cosmetics, and food products throughout the state. Recent initiatives are aimed at eradicating substandard drugs, overseeing food quality, and bolstering public health safety.
CRACKDOWN ON SUBSTANDARD DRUGS
In a comprehensive operation, enforcement officers collected 1,133 drug samples for testing, revealing 106 samples categorized as substandard. In February 2025, 1,841 drug samples were evaluated, with 58 failing to meet quality standards. Furthermore, 262 cosmetic samples were assessed in December 2024; of these, while 120 met the required standards, the remainder is still under scrutiny.
LEGAL ACTION AND MARKET RECALLS
Between December 2024 and January 2025, 75 legal cases were initiated for infractions under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. Authorities also conducted drug recalls valued at approximately Rs. 17 lakh due to quality issues. A focused effort in January 2025 addressed the misuse of narcotic drugs, resulting in the inspection of 488 medical shops, issuance of notices to 400 firms, suspension of 231 licenses, and cancellation of three.
In response to antibiotic misuse, a statewide inspection from February 17 to 19, 2025, uncovered 52 medical stores dispensing antibiotics without prescriptions, leading to ongoing legal proceedings.
TATTOO INK SAFETY CONCERNS
Health officials examined tattoo ink samples and detected 22 harmful heavy metals, including selenium, chromium, and arsenic. In light of the absence of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) regulations for tattoo ink, officials are calling for the central government to establish safety standards to mitigate potential health risks, such as skin diseases and infections.
STRENGTHENING DRUG RECALL SYSTEMS
To enhance the recall process for substandard drugs, a new software solution is being developed. This system will monitor inventory at every stage, from manufacturers to retailers, ensuring rapid action against unsafe products.
FOOD SAFETY MEASURES
In January 2025, a total of 3,608 food samples underwent testing, revealing 26 as unsafe and 28 of subpar quality. In February, 2,543 food samples were collected, resulting in eight being deemed unsafe and five falling below quality thresholds.
A special initiative in August 2024 evaluated artificial colors in cakes, uncovering 12 unsafe samples (4.06%). Following awareness efforts, a follow-up analysis in January 2025 demonstrated improved results, with only seven unsafe samples (1.16%). Authorities continue to educate bakery businesses on the proper use of approved artificial colors.
SPECIAL CAMPAIGNS AND INSPECTIONS
A campaign in February 2025 tested 288 bottled water samples, with results still pending. Additionally, 106 samples of fried green peas were assessed for artificial colors, and 26 were found unsafe, prompting future legal action pending final analysis.
Officials inspected 681 hotels, restaurants, and street food vendors, discovering 52 establishments using banned plastic paper for idli preparation. Notices have been issued, and awareness campaigns are ongoing.
The Food Safety and Drug Administration Department is dedicated to ensuring the safety and quality of drugs and food, protecting public health, and enforcing stringent regulations to uphold high industry standards.
Published On:
Feb 28, 2025
