HYDERABAD: Five years ago, when Hyderabad-based food safety activist Anirudh Gupta first began questioning the use of “rusted, corroded and unsuitable” blades used to slice bread and cut food, he had little idea that the issue would turn into a prolonged battle with regulators and the food industry.What began with questions over the safety of food-contact equipment eventually led to representations, RTI applications, photographs, official records and repeated appeals to authorities.After years of pursuing the issue with food safety authorities and govt departments, Gupta’s campaign culminated in action from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which on June 15 issued a nationwide advisory directing food businesses to stop using rusted, corroded, painted, chipped or damaged knives and blades.The regulator said such equipment could lead to physical, chemical and microbiological contamination.In April 2024, Gupta launched a public campaign on social media, surveyed street-food markets and held a news conference. He later compiled nearly 100 pages of photographs, correspondence and official records and submitted the dossier to the PMO and Union ministries.He also met the FSSAI CEO in May this year and continued following up with officials. Gupta said the advisory was an important first step but argued that the problem extends well beyond rusted bread-slicing blades.“The advisory is an important foundation step and can make a real difference if effectively implemented. However, a notification, along with clear standards and enforcement, would obviously be much stronger,” he said, stressing the need for clear standards for food-contact tools.Moreover, the decision is still facing flak from the bread industry, which has raised concerns over its implications for businesses. Despite repeated attempts to contact the All India Bread Manufacturers Association (AIBMA), there was no response.
