FSSAI to give Hygiene Ratings to Meat-shops to avoid Coronavirus

Food & health safety is indeed a significant concern that takes into account the entire food supply chain. It impacts the entire supply chain, right from the stage of manufacturing or processing, to handling of stock, delivery and also covers food storage. An FSSAI registration thus serves as a legal remedy against food-contamination, adulteration, and spreading of the disease-causing pathogens.

It ensures that safe and wholesome food is available to consumers.

Recently, people have witnessed the turmoil of the Corona Virus, which has resulted in over 800 deaths in China. Corona Virus is a pathogen that spreads due to the consumption of contaminated meat or flesh. This dreadful virus has also entered into India through the consumption of such contaminated and unsafe meat. Hence, FSSAI has now begun the inspection of all the meat and fish shops as well as the slaughterhouses in India, so as to trace the contaminated meat and ensure that it is not sold to the consumers. 

Besides, FSSAI is now going to give Hygiene Ratings to Meat-shops and the slaughterhouses. 

1. Why has FSSAI started inspection of the meat shops?

The topmost food safety regulator FSSAI is now conducting inspection and auditing of slaughterhouses and meat shops of our country after the global outbreak of the Coronavirus epidemic from China.

• The fact is now well known that the Coronavirus epidemic had originated at a wet market (meat-mart) in China’s Wuhan City. 

• So, this has highlighted the need to ensure that there are proper hygiene and safety standards in all meat shops and slaughterhouses of India.

2. How will FSSAI ensure hygiene at meat shops?

The apex food safety regulator has already stepped up efforts in the past 6 to 8 months to ensure better safety and standards at all the meat shops of the country.

• Now, after the outbreak of Coronavirus, FSSAI geared up its efforts to control contamination of meat at the slaughterhouses.

• It will also check whether the meat shops and slaughterhouses are having FSSAI registration or food license.

• Above all, the FSSAI has also introduced the process of introducing hygiene ratings for the meat shops.

3. How will FSSAI give hygiene ratings for the meat shops?

FSSAI has now formulated a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in order to certify the meat shops through the hygiene ratings. For this purpose, the state governments have already been involved.

• FSSAI has initially offered the funding for hygiene ratings of 50 slaughterhouses and 8 hotels, so as to kickstart this project.

• Food businesses shall be rated from 1 to 5. 

• The parameters for the rating include the quality of food prepared and due compliance with FSSAI regulations, which also includes FSSAI registration.

4. What are the criteria for FSSAI registration of slaughterhouses?

The criteria for FSSAI registration of slaughterhouses is given below-

• Basic FSSAI registration: If the slaughtering capacity is up to 2 Large animals, 10 Small and 50 Poultry Birds in a day.

• State FSSAI license: If the slaughtering capacity is up to 2-50 Large animals, 10-150 Small and 50-1000 Poultry Birds in a day.

• Central FSSAI license: If the slaughtering capacity is above 50 Large animals, 150 Small and 1000 Poultry Birds in a day.

5. What are the criteria for FSSAI registration of meat shops?

The criteria for FSSAI registration of meat shops are given below-

• Basic FSSAI registration: If the turnover is up to INR 12 lakh/annum.

• State FSSAI license: If processing capacity is up to 500 kg meat per day or 150 MT per annum.

• Central FSSAI license: If the processing capacity is more than 500 kg of meat per day or 150 MT per annum.

The above guidelines have to be considered carefully by all the meat shops and slaughterhouses.

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