The Hidden Truth of Unsafe Food and Beverages in India.

A deep look into food safety in India – rules, corruption, ethics, big brands vs small shops, and how citizens must stay alert and smart.

For many years in India, most people believed that food and beverages sold in shops, malls, markets, and brands were safe.

We trusted labels, advertisements, packaging, and cleanliness.

But recently, many reports and product test updates are making people shocked — not only unknown or small business products, but even big popular brands are being questioned for unsafe ingredients, expired materials, and bad quality.

So what is the truth?

Why only Big BRANDS are being targeted more?

Why small SHOPS escape many times?

Why even after VIOLATIONS, companies start again?

Let’s understand everything with facts, not fear.

🔹 Where It All Started — History of Food Safety (1960s to Today)

Food safety is not a new concern.

• In the 1960s, an American biologist Rachel Carson raised global alarm through her book Silent Spring about the dangers of chemicals in food and farms.

  
  

• In the 1970s-80s, many countries including India started restricting chemicals in agriculture.

  
  

• In the 1990s, packaged foods became popular in India and food testing rules became stricter.

  
  

• In 2006, India passed a major law – Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA).

  
  

• In 2011, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) became fully operational.

  
  

This means 🇮🇳 India has rules 📜, but implementation and monitoring took many years to build properly.

FOOD AND BEVERAGES IN INDIA

🔹 Why Are Big Brands Targeted More Today?

There are four main reasons:

1️⃣ Because of visibility

Millions of people consume their products daily.If a big brand violates safety, the damage is bigger.

2️⃣ Because of accountability

Big companies must maintain scientific testing, documentation, recall systems. If they fail, they are questioned legally.

3️⃣ Because consumers report faster today

Social media and digital complaints make issues public immediately.

4️⃣ Because it sets an example

When a big brand is punished, everyone becomes serious, including small businesses.

🔹 But Then Why Are Small Shops Not Tested Frequently?

This is a painful truth:

• India has lakhs of small food shops and dhabas.

  
  

• Testing every shop daily is almost impossible.

  
  

• Many work without proper license.

  
  

• Officers focus on high-risk and high-sale brands first.

  
  

So it’s not always corruption —

sometimes it is

Lack of manpower,

Lack of technology, and

Lack of complaints from consumers.

🔹 Then Why Don’t Authorities Permanently Shut Companies After 2-3 Violations?

People assume money but the real process is complicated:

• To permanently shut a company, the government must legally prove that the product is unsafe again and again with scientific reports.

  
  

• Companies get chance for correction and improvement.

  
  

• Courts decide the final punishment, not the officers.

  
  

• If the company improves fully, they are allowed to operate again.

  
  

So law gives opportunity to improve, not only to punish.

🔹 Does Corruption Exist?

"Yes"— corruption exists everywhere — in big brands, small businesses, officers, and customers too.

Example: A small shop selling fake cold drinks or expired snacks continues because:

• Customers don’t complain

• Local officers ignore

• Shopkeepers hide things when inspection happens

  
  

A big brand cannot hide — because tests, complaints, and media exposure are high.

So it’s not that only big brands are corrupt.The bigger problem is — lack of awareness in people.

🔹 A Story That Explains the Reality Clearly

In the 1990s,

when soft drink culture increased in India, one school student complained that a soft drink tasted strange. His parents complained,

BUT the shop owner said:

“Brand ka product hai, galti meri thodi na.”

Nobody inspected.

Years later, many similar complaints rose from multiple cities — then investigations finally started.

What does this prove ?

Until people question, systems don’t activate.

🔹 The Real Truth of Food Safety in 21st Century India

✔ Big brands are tested because their reach is HUGE.

✔ Small shops escape because COMPLAINTS are low.

✔ Laws exist, but IMPLEMENTATION is still improving.

✔ Awareness is increasing, that's why more EXPOSURE is happening today.

✔ Not everything we see on news is true — and not everything is FALSE either.

🔹 So What Should Citizens Do? (Most Important Part)

✔ Always check expiry dates

✔ Don’t blindly trust packaging

✔ Complain when product tastes or smells wrong

✔ Don’t buy from shops that store products in heat or direct sunlight

✔ Support businesses that are transparent and ethical — big or small

🔹 Be Smart, Not Scared

This article is not against brands, government, or businesses.

It is for people.

If we become aware,

if we stop ignoring wrong things,

if we stop thinking “koi aur complain karega”…then food safety will automatically become stronger in India.

Being silent helps CORRUPTION.

Being aware helps SOCIETY.

⭐

India does not need fear —

India needs

Smart consumers who understand the TRUTH and

Choose

SAFETY over CONVENIENCE.