Mahdi Pir-Salehi, head of the Food and Drug Organization, referred to alarming statistics regarding food non-compliance with standards at the first meeting of the specialized health and nutrition commission, stating that 17 percent of food samples this year did not meet the established standards.
Challenges and Importance of Food Safety Monitoring
Pir-Salehi emphasized at this meeting that the importance of food in community health is well known. He stated that a significant portion of diseases is related to nutritional issues, and therefore, greater care and sensitivity must be shown in the areas of prevention and food safety. He also pointed to the challenges in securing essential goods amid war and economic sanctions, adding: "Food security and safety must be prioritized under these conditions." The head of the Food and Drug Organization noted that products should not be approved without regard to health standards under the pretext of securing goods, stressing: "If we compromise in this area, we will face serious health risks for the public in the future."
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Alarming Statistics on Food Monitoring
Abdolazim Behfar, director general of food and beverage products at the Food and Drug Organization, also presented a report on the status of food monitoring during this meeting. According to this report, in 2024, 7,852 food monitoring cases were conducted, with 14.7 percent of samples not meeting the established standards. In 2025, 2,392 monitoring cases were conducted, with the non-compliance rate reaching 17.3 percent.
Behfar also referred to the results of monitoring pesticide residues, nitrates, and heavy metals in eight agricultural products, stating: "In 2024, the non-compliance rate for pesticides was recorded at 11.39 percent and for nitrates at 11.43 percent. These figures for 2025 were 3.41 percent for pesticides and 6.94 percent for nitrates, but we observed an increase in non-compliance regarding heavy metals." The director general of food and beverage products at the Food and Drug Organization also mentioned the status of water and foodborne diseases, stating: "In 2025, there were 4,362 reported outbreaks and 2,290 reported cases of illness, with 20 percent of these cases involving children and the elderly."
Behfar further noted that food security and quality have a direct impact on community health, and there is an inseparable link between food safety, proper nutrition, and disease prevention.
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