In a shocking expose by India Today, some FSSAI officials were caught asking for a bribe to clear a food product which the channel reporters said had high lead content.

As per the news channel, the sting operation was carried in Uttar Pradesh. An FSSAI food inspector Ramesh Chand in Pilkhuwa agreed to pass a food product which they claimed had increased lead content, for Rs 20,000 a year. The channel's reporters told him that they wanted him to clear a 'namkeen' product, but it would have high lead content as it uses Delhi's ground water. So Chand asked them to get a sample of the product and agreed to approve it for Rs 20,000 for a year.

Another food inspector Shiv Das Singh from Bulandshaher claimed that bogus products being cleared and good ones getting failed was an established practice in the body. He also said that a product of a competitor can get disapproved for one lakh rupees.

The report quotes Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan reacting to the sting operation. "Standard products are being labelled as sub-standard and faulty products are being passed by such corrupt officials. This is a big crime and I demand strongest possible action against all those found guilty," Paswan said. "As a consumer minister I assure you that my department will take up the case seriously. FSSAI doesn't come under my ministry but I want to make it clear that strong action will be taken against such officials. They should be sent to jail," he added.