5 noteworthy measures taken by FSSAI to ensure Food Safety
The apex food safety regulatory authority Food Safety and Standards Authority of India or FSSAI has so far left no stone unturned in ensuring that the food products satisfy all the desired food safety standards.
Besides regular inspections to ensure that FBOs carry FSSAI registration or license, FSSAI has introduced a series of measures in recent months to check food safety & hygiene among food businesses.
To name some, we have:
- Nationwide Food Safety Audit
- Eat Right Movement 2018
- Amendment of Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Business) Regulations
- Banning of recycled plastic & newspaper packaging
- Statutory warning on liquor bottles
We shall now discuss all of the above measures in brief.
#1. Nationwide Food Safety Audit
With an aim to strengthen the food safety surveillance mechanism in the Indian food industry, the FSSAI had conducted an independent 3rd party audit of the food business operators with the help of reputed private auditing agencies.
The regulatory framework for this Food Safety Audit was the Food Safety and Standards (Food Safety Auditing) Regulation 2018. With its effect, FSSAI undertook a nationwide audit of Food Businesses through private agencies.
The main aim of this audit was to remove the gap between FSSAI enforcement and ground-level Non-Compliance with regard to FSSAI registration or licensing.
Know more about Food Safety Audit.
#2. Eat Right Movement 2018
Next important drive initiated by FSSAI was the Eat Right India Movement 2018. Under this initiative, all the leading Indian food businesses having FSSAI registration were supposed to demonstrate their contribution towards the drive of making a healthy India by offering healthier food options to the consumers. Under this, FSSAI had organized the Eat Right India Awards 2018 and the Eat Right Mela 2018.
#3. Amendment of Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Business) Regulations
In order to improve the structural framework, FSSAI had introduced Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Business) Amendment Regulations, 2018.
Under this, the Food safety authority had made amendments to various sections of the regulation, concerning the following rules for FSSAI registration & FSSAI license:
- FSSAI Registration & Licensing of E-Commerce operators like Foodpanda.
- Documents required for FSSAI registration & FSSAI license of restaurants.
- Required Food Hygiene & sanitary practices.
- FSSAI Registration of small slaughterhouses.
#4. Banning recycled plastic & newspaper packaging
With a view to improving the food packaging practices, FSSAI had amended the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011. Under this, FSSAI had banned the use of plastic & newspaper packaging of food items. The aim was to check the use of harmful packaging stuff used by mainly food vendors and hawkers, who generally don’t possess the FSSAI registration or FSSAI license.
Such packaging stuff is hazardous to human health.
#5. Statutory warning on liquor bottles
Very recently on the lines of tobacco industry regulations, the FSSAI has made it mandatory for the liquor manufacturers to put this statutory warning on the labels of all Alcoholic Beverages-
"Consumption of alcohol is injurious to health. So, be safe… Don’t drink & drive".
Just like the tobacco & cigarette packs, all liquor bottles will now come with this statutory warning. The aim was to create awareness among people to not drive after drinking and reducing alcohol consumption.
Know more about statutory warning on liquor bottles.
Undoubtedly, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has undertaken consistent efforts towards achieving the goal of healthy India. Besides, FSSAI regularly inspects whether the FBOs carry the FSSAI registration certificates or FSSAI licenses.
If you are running a food business, we can help you get FSSAI registration without any hassles.
If you need any assistance regarding the FSSAI registration procedure, feel free to contact our business advisor at 8881-069-069.
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