Reimagining Food Safety In India: Human Rights, Emerging Technologies, And Ethical Public Health Governance
Mike Ruban. G & Gourav Thakur
ABSTRACT
“Food is our common ground, a universal experience” – James Beard
Food safety in India has largely been treated as a matter of regulatory compliance and welfare policy; however, its deep connection with human rights and public health calls for a stronger rights-based legal framework. The right to life under Article 21, read with Directive Principles such as Articles 39(a) and 47, implicitly recognizes access to safe and nutritious food as a fundamental entitlement. Despite the presence of statutory mechanisms like the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, persistent gaps in enforcement, infrastructure, and administration continue to hinder its effective realization.
In the era of digital transformation, emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT) present significant opportunities to enhance food safety governance through improved traceability, real-time monitoring, and predictive regulation. However, their integration also raises critical concerns relating to data privacy, algorithmic accountability, and digital inequality.
This paper examines the intersection of food safety, human rights, and technological governance in India. It critically evaluates the existing legal framework, identifies structural gaps, and explores the potential of emerging technologies in strengthening regulatory mechanisms. Through a comparative and interdisciplinary approach, the study proposes a rights- oriented, technology-enabled framework that aligns constitutional mandates with innovation and ethical governance, ensuring more effective and equitable public health protection.
Keywords: Food Safety, Human Rights, Artificial Intelligence, Digital Regulation, & Ethical Governance.
