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FSSAI: All You Need to Know

What is FSSAI, and why was it established?

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is a statutory body established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. It was created to consolidate food-related regulations across various departments and ensure that all food available for consumption in India is safe and meets quality standards. The primary goal of FSSAI is to regulate the manufacturing, storage, distribution, sale, and import of food products, ensuring the availability of safe and wholesome food.

What are the main functions of FSSAI?

FSSAI performs several crucial functions to maintain food safety standards:

Setting Food Standards: FSSAI develops science-based standards for food products, considering the latest advancements in food science, technology, and consumption patterns. These standards cover all aspects of food, from additives to contaminants.

Licensing and Registration: FSSAI mandates that all food business operators (FBOs), including manufacturers, traders, and importers, must obtain FSSAI licenses or registrations to operate legally.

Food Safety Management: FSSAI promotes food safety by developing guidelines like Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) to help businesses mitigate food-related risks.

Laboratory Accreditation: FSSAI accredits food testing laboratories, ensuring they are capable of accurately analyzing food samples for safety compliance.

Public Awareness: FSSAI runs initiatives such as Eat Right India to educate citizens on the importance of safe and healthy eating habits.

Risk Assessment: FSSAI conducts risk assessments, monitoring the prevalence of biological risks and contaminants in food, and addressing new emerging threats.

How does FSSAI regulate food businesses in India?

FSSAI ensures food businesses comply with safety regulations through its licensing and registration system. Every food business operator (FBO) must be registered or licensed with FSSAI under the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS), which includes:

Basic Registration: For small-scale businesses with low turnover.

State License: For medium-sized food businesses operating within a state.

Central License: For large-scale businesses and importers operating across India or engaged in exporting food products.

FSSAI monitors food businesses regularly through inspections and audits to ensure compliance with the safety standards laid out in the FSS Act, 2006.

What is the Food Safety Management System (FSMS), and why is it important?

The Food Safety Management System (FSMS) is a structured framework that helps food businesses implement preventive safety measures based on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP). It ensures that food safety risks are identified and controlled throughout the food production process. FSMS is crucial because it helps reduce contamination risks and ensures that food businesses maintain high levels of safety in their operations. FSSAI provides guidance documents and codes of practice to help businesses, especially in the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector, adopt FSMS.

What are the different divisions within FSSAI, and what roles do they play?

FSSAI has several key divisions, each responsible for different aspects of food safety:

Science & Standards Division: This division develops and reviews food safety standards based on the latest scientific research and technological advancements. It works with 21 scientific panels and a committee of over 250 experts to ensure standards remain relevant and effective.

Regulations Division: This division creates and updates regulations for food safety as per the FSS Act, 2006. It notifies these regulations in the Gazette of India and ensures they are legally enforceable.

Quality Assurance Division: This division oversees the food testing ecosystem by accrediting laboratories and ensuring that they meet required standards for food sample analysis.

Regulatory Compliance Division: Responsible for the enforcement of food safety regulations, this division manages licensing, registration, consumer grievances, and coordination with state and UT authorities for inspections and enforcement actions.

Social and Behavioural Change Division: This division promotes public awareness around safe and healthy eating habits through campaigns like Eat Right India, aiming to influence citizens' food choices.

Trade and International Cooperation Division: It manages food import regulations and coordinates with international agencies on matters related to food safety.

Training Division: It organizes training programs for food business operators (FBOs) and regulatory staff, enhancing their knowledge of food safety standards and compliance.

Information Technology Division: This division handles FSSAI’s digital operations, including the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) and the Food Import Clearance System (FICS). It also manages several online portals for training, inspection, and public information.

What role does FSSAI play in public health and awareness?

FSSAI plays a crucial role in public health by ensuring that the food available for consumption is safe and nutritious. It conducts widespread public awareness campaigns to promote food safety and hygiene. Some of its major initiatives include:

Eat Right India: A movement that encourages people to adopt healthy and sustainable food habits, promoting a diet that is safe, nutritious, and environmentally friendly.

Clean Street Food Hubs: A program to improve hygiene and safety in street food vending.

BHOG (Blissful Hygienic Offering to God): A scheme to ensure the safety and hygiene of food offerings at places of worship.

Eat Right Schools and Eat Right Stations: Initiatives targeting schools and railway stations to promote safe and healthy eating habits.

Through these initiatives, FSSAI works to change societal behavior towards better food choices and practices.

How does FSSAI handle food imports and international cooperation?

FSSAI is responsible for the regulation of food imports into India through its Food Import Clearance System (FICS), which is integrated with the Indian Customs ICEGATE system. This ensures efficient, transparent, and secure clearance of imported food products. FSSAI also acts as the nodal agency for coordinating international matters related to food safety, including collaborations with foreign agencies and contributing to the development of global food safety standards.

What are the main legal frameworks that FSSAI operates under?

FSSAI operates primarily under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which consolidated various food-related laws, such as the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, the Fruit Products Order, 1955, and the Milk and Milk Products Order, 1992. These older laws were repealed after the enactment of the FSS Act, 2006, which brought all matters related to food safety under one comprehensive legal framework.

FSSAI is also empowered by various sections of the FSS Act to make regulations, conduct inspections, issue licenses, and take enforcement actions against violators.

How can food businesses and the public benefit from FSSAI’s services?

Food businesses benefit from FSSAI's clear guidelines and standards, which help them maintain food safety and quality, ensuring consumer trust and regulatory compliance. They also have access to training programs, technical support, and a streamlined licensing process through FoSCoS.

The public benefits from FSSAI’s regulatory role in ensuring that the food they consume is safe and healthy. Awareness campaigns, educational resources, and initiatives like Hygiene Rating for restaurants further empower consumers to make informed choices about the food they eat.

FSSAI plays a pivotal role in protecting public health by setting robust food safety standards, ensuring compliance, and raising awareness about safe food practices, making it an essential body in India's food safety ecosystem.