Everything You Need to Know About FSSAI Objectives, Initiatives & Functions

What is FSSAI?

FSSAI stands for Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. It is an autonomous statutory body that was established in 2011, under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. FSSAI is administered by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. This institution, headquartered in Delhi aims at promoting and protecting public health by regulating and supervising food safety.

The FSS Act was formed as a consolidation of various orders and acts like the Prevention of food adulteration Act 1954, fruit products order 1955, milk and milk products order 1992, etc.

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What are the FSSAI Functions?

FSSAI performs various functions to promote and protect public health. Given below are the major functions of FSSAI -

• Setting Rules and Guidelines - FSSAI is responsible for setting up rules, regulations, and guidelines for food safety and the protection of public health. These guidelines must be followed by all food manufacturing companies.
• Giving a License - Before you start any food-related business, it is mandatory to obtain a license from the concerned authority. After the establishment of FSSAI, it provides these food licenses to business owners.
• Test the Food Standard - To ensure the health and safety of the public, the FSSAI conducts food quality and standard checks for the food manufactured by the companies registered under FSSAI.
• Conducting Regular Audits - To ensure that the food manufactured by companies is at par with the guidelines provided, FSSAI also conducts multiple audits of the food-producing and manufacturing companies.
• Spreading Food Safety Awareness - It also conducts various food safety awareness campaigns aimed at spreading awareness about the importance of consuming safe and hygienic food.
• Maintaining the Records and Data - FSSAI is responsible for maintaining a proper record of the data of all the companies registered under the FSSAI. If the company fails to comply with the guidelines set out by FSSAI, it can result in the termination of the food license.
• Keeping the Government Updated - Any potential threat related to food safety and hygiene has to be reported by FSSAI to the government. FSSAI is also responsible for helping the government in framing food safety policies.

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What are the Initiatives of FSSAI?

Keeping in mind the importance and necessity of maintaining food safety standards, the organization has taken various initiatives. Some of the major initiatives of FSSAI are listed below -

• Eat Right India - FSSAI’s aim is not just to provide food to every single citizen of India, but also to ensure that everyone gets access to good quality food in India.
• Clean Street Food - Under this initiative, FSSAI aimed at training street food vendors and spreading awareness among them regarding the violations of the FSS Act. This also focused on the economic and social upliftment of the street food vendors.
• Diet4Life - This initiative was aimed at spreading awareness about the different types of metabolic disorders and how to avoid them.
• Save Food, Share Food, Share Joy - Under this initiative, FSSAI promoted and encouraged people to avoid food wastage and promote the donation of food. It also involved connecting food-producing agencies with food-collecting agencies to increase the accessibility of food for the needy.

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What is the Legislative Framework of FSSAI?

Highlights of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006

• It establishes a single reference point for all food safety-related matters, making a shift from multi-departmental or multi-level control to a single line of command.
• This Act established State Food Safety Authorities for each state and also the FSSAI.

Highlights of the Food Safety Standards Rule, 2011. This rule states that -

• The Registrar of the Appellate Tribunal and the Food Safety Appellate Tribunal will handle the adjudication of food safety cases.

Highlights of Food Safety Standards Regulations, 2011

• It covers packaging and labeling of food product standards, food businesses, and the licensing and registration of food products.
• It restricts the sale or approval of food ingredients and non-specified food as such ingredients might cause harm to human health.

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What is the Composition of FSSAI?

Here’s how the FSSAI is formed -

• The FSSAI consists of 1 Chairperson and a total of 22 members. Out of these 22, at least one-third should be women.
• The Central Government appoints the chairperson of FSSAI.
• Scientific committees and panels help the food authority in setting standards and the Central Advisory Committee helps them in coordinating with enforcement agencies.
• The primary responsibility for enforcement of the laws made by FSSAI lies with the State Food Safety Commissioners.

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What are the Major Challenges Faced by FSSAI?

Below is a list of the major challenges faced by FSSAI -

• Small manufacturers, hawkers, retailers, and street food vendors are not covered under the FSSAI. However, these sectors contribute the most to the unorganized food sector. Also, most people prefer such hawkers for food due to their low prices.
• Lack of infrastructure is also a major challenge faced by FSSAI. In India, there are only 87 NABL accredited laboratories as against 1500 private labs in India.
• India also has a shortage of skilled manpower and good-quality food testing equipment in referral laboratories and state food laboratories.
• An acute shortage of enforcement and licensing officers in the state which affects the food safety measures taken by the FSSAI.
• The food safety approval procedures are very lengthy and cumbersome which hampers the food safety and health process.
• The number of products listed under FSSAI is very low in India as compared to other countries. The Indian FSS Act covers only 377 food items as opposed to 10,000 in other countries.
• Shipments of imported food items frequently get delayed at the ports, as they await approval from the FSSAI. This delay can be due to discrepancies in package labeling, deviating from globally accepted norms.
• Difference of opinion between the food processing ministry and the food regulator.
• Also, in many cases, the licenses are issued without properly looking at the documents or on the basis of incomplete documents.

In conclusion, the FSSAI plays a crucial role in ensuring food safety in India. Despite challenges, it remains a key guardian of public health through regulations and initiatives. Now that you are aware of everything that you need to know about FSSAI, you might also have some questions. Don’t worry! Our tax experts are here to help you along your journey.

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