FSSAI issues strict order to hotels, restaurants and dhabas across the country – immediate ban on use of rusty knives and blades

By Samira Vishwas On Jun 24, 2026

FSSAI New Instructions 2026: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has taken a major regulatory step to further strengthen food safety and hygiene standards across the country. The food safety regulator has asked hotels, restaurants, roadside dhabas and food processing units (FBOs) across the country to (…)

FSSAI New Instructions 2026: Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSA) to further strengthen food safety and hygiene standards across the country.FSSAI) has taken a major regulatory step. The food safety regulator has ordered all hotels, restaurants, roadside dhabas and food processing units (FBOs) in the country to stop using rusty, broken or damaged knives, blades and other cutting tools with immediate effect.

The country-wide advisory issued by FSSAI has clearly stated that such faulty kitchen equipment directly contaminates food, which can seriously harm the health of consumers. The administration has asked all food business operators to immediately remove such tools from the kitchen and ensure the use of only safe and clean equipment.

The Food Contamination Hazard: The Science of Rust and Bad Utensils

According to food safety experts, the use of faulty equipment leads to the introduction of various hazardous substances into food, about which the FSSAI has warned:

Metal particles and rust: When cutting vegetables, meat or other ingredients with a rusty knife or blade, fine metal particles and rust get mixed into the food, which are extremely harmful to the internal organs of the body.
Quality Compromise: There is a risk of broken blades falling into the food, completely destroying the purity and quality of the food.

FSSAI also made major changes in packaging rules (Recent Regulatory Timeline)

FSSAI is in constant action mode following recent complaints related to food safety. Two major decisions taken recently by the organization are as follows:

Date of action	Instructions issued by FSSAI	Main objective and defense
12 June 2026	In food packaging and cake boxes Staple pins and a complete ban on the use of metal wires.	Eliminating the risk of customers accidentally swallowing PINs.
16 June 2026	From kitchens and food factories across the country Rusty and broken knives/blades Decree of removal of	Preventing Chemical and Metal Poisoning in Foodstuffs.

Strict action will be taken against those who break the rules

1.1. Action under Food Safety Act, 2006:Legal penalties.

FSSAI has given a clear warning that any hotel or dhaba owner found violating these rules will be subject to strict action under the ‘Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006’ like heavy fines and license cancellation.

2.2. Teams of Food Inspectors Deployed:Constant checking.

In order to implement the new instructions at the ground level, the food safety departments of different states are being instructed to conduct surprise inspections of the kitchens of the restaurants.

3.3. Consumer Protection Above All:High standards of cleanliness.

The agency is now working on a zero-tolerance policy to improve the quality of food sold in markets, fairs and commercial areas, so that higher standards of cleanliness can be established across the country.