Food Safety and Standards Authority of India

The Food Safety and Standards Act was officially unveiled by the government on August 23, 2006. Prior to the creation and implementation of the Food Safety and Standards Act, the nation’s safe food practices were governed by a number of laws and norms. The main statute governing food product regulation is the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSAI), which was passed in 2006. The creation and enforcement of food safety standards in India are also established under this law. State-level food safety authorities are chosen by the FSSAI.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has administrative jurisdiction for the FSSAI. FSSAI’s main aim is to:

• Establish scientifically sound standards for food items.
• To control food production, storage, sale, distribution, and import.
• To aid in ensuring food safety.
• To make sure that good, safe food is readily available for human consumption.

Food Acts Before FSSAI act, 2006:

• Food Adulteration Prevention Act of 1954
• Fruit Products Act of 1955
• Vegetable and Oil Order, 1947
• Edible Oil Packaging Order, 1988
• Milk and Milk-Related Products, 1992

The Function of FSSAI:

• Formulation of regulations outlining the standards and guidelines pertaining to food products as well as the method for enforcing the different requirements notified.
• Establishing a system and rules for the accreditation of organizations that certify food enterprises’ food safety management systems.
• Collect and compile information on food consumption, the occurrence and prevalence of biological risk contaminants in food, the presence of residue from different contaminants in food items, the identification of developing risks in food, and the implementation of quick warning systems.
• Establishing a national information network for the public, consumers, panchayats, etc. Obtain timely, accurate, and relevant information regarding food safety and corner-related issues.
• Offer a training program to those working in the food industry.
• Develop worldwide technical standards for sanitary, phytosanitary, and food standards.
• Encourage public understanding about food standards and safety.

Initiatives of FSSAI:

Eat Right India: To ensure that our food is healthy for both people and the environment, Eat Right India uses a smart approach to regulation, capacity building, cooperation, and empowerment. It also elaborates on the seamless effort put out by all stakeholders. These include the executive branch, the food industry, civic society, organizations, experts and professionals, development groups, and the general public.

Food Safety Display Board: It is now required in all food establishments, under FSS Regulations, to show an FSSAI license or registration. However, customers are not shown the FSSAI License Number. Food Safety Display Boards (FSDBs) have been adopted by FSSAI for various food enterprises in order to alter customer perception generally and increase food safety.

Safe and Nutritious Food: The FSSAI is aware that relying just on conventional regulatory mechanisms like standards, enforcement, and compliance would not be sufficient to guarantee safe and healthy food to every Indian citizen on an ongoing basis. They must thus take initiative to bring about social and behavioral change.

Repurpose Used Cooking Oil: Repurpose Spent Cooking Oil (RUCO), a program started by FSSAI, enables the collecting and conversion of used cooking oil into biodiesel. It contains the following: Biodiesel processor authorization mechanisms, Establishing a supply network for UCO collection and granting aggregators temporary certification from a biodiesel producer.

Benefits Provided by FSSAI:

The FSSAI Essential Enlistment offers the food business overseers several benefits while being a legal requirement. These are the:

• Ensure improved client assistance.
• Encourage the unbiased buyer to trust you.
• Give the company a license to prosper without legal problems.
• Ensure business growth and enhanced security.

The Administrative Structure of the FSSAI:

• The administrative ministry for the Indian Government’s Food Safety and Standards Authority is the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• The non-executive Chairperson of the FSSAI is chosen by the Central Government and now holds or has previously held the office of Secretary to the Government of India.
• A chairperson and 22 members make up the FSSAI.
• The current Chairperson and CEO of the FSSAI are Rajesh Bhushan and Arun Singhal, respectively.

Recent Developments:

The new food safety and standards rule, 2021, was developed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. This is in support of a ban and limitations on sales.
According to a new regulation, trans fatty acids should not make up more than 2% of the total amount of food items where fats and edible oil are used as key ingredients. Starting on January 1st, 2022, this became law.

Conclusion:

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare established the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), a statutory organization. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has the duty to safeguard and advance the general welfare. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) offers several advantages, including maintaining food security, improving customer service, and fostering corporate growth.