For a healthy population, it is important to maintain food safety in India. In this article, we will discuss FSSAI and how it is responsible for maintaining food safety in our country.
FSSAI or Food Safety and Standards Authority of India is a self-governing body that is established under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India. FSSAI has been formed under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 that governs the food safety and standards regulations in India. It is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through proper regulation and supervision of food safety. The head of FSSAI is a non-executive chairman who is appointed by the Central Government. Headquarter of FSSAI is in the capital of India, Delhi and most of its regional offices are located in cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Guwahati, Kolkata. All over India 14 referral laboratories, 72 state/ UT laboratories and 112 other laboratories are NABL accredited and are recognized by FSSAI. FSSAI is an independent body under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 that is responsible for regulating the food merchandise. This act is again responsible for setting up the formulation and total control of food safety standards in India. FSSAI is solely responsible for appointing the food safety authorities on the state level. Some of the main functions of FSSAI under the executive supervision of the Ministry of Health and Family welfare are
· Framing specific scientific standards for food articles effectually.
· Regulating manufacture, distribution, storage, selling, importing and Export of food.
· Ensure food safety.
· It is the whole bucket for all older food safety laws and is responsible for everything.
Some of the older acts that have been adopted by FSSAI are Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, Fruit merchandise Order, 1955, Meat Food merchandise Order, 1973, Vegetable Oil merchandise (Control) Order, 1947, Edible Oils Packaging (Regulation) Order 1998, Solvent Extracted Oil and Edible Flour (Control) Order, 1967, and Milk and Milk merchandise Order, 1992.
Now lets us know something about the important license as formulated by FSSAI that you need to obtain for starting a food business.
FSSAI under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 controls various acts and orders that are responsible for handling several foods related problems in several ministries and departments. With a primary aim to lay down normal standards for all food articles and assure people that the food they are consuming is safe for consumption. With increased regulations of FSSAI, all food businesses have started to find out the importance of FSSAI compliance for their businesses and remain alert about all FSSAI updates. Since the laws are new therefore remaining updates and maintaining well with all the alterations is like a challenge for businesses. Since the year 2011, it has become mandatory for all food businesses to obtain an FSSAI license. Based on total turnover and the nature of the business, there are three categories of license FSSAI state license, FSSAI central license, and FSSAI registration. If any Food Business Operator fails to obtain the FSSAI food business license or registration before the commencement of Food business activity, they may face imprisonment or fine as per the Food Safety and Standards Act.
What are the benefits of FSSAI license?
FSSAI license helps in starting a food business in India. License assist a food product or service to get accepted and recognized on both the national and international platform. A license also gives your client or customer high confidence in the quality and safety of your food. Thus, by now you must have understood how important an FSSAI license is. The process of obtaining an FSSAI license is a little time taking but with the help of a reliable FSSAI consultant you can get it very easily.