The interim stay on the enforcement of Food Safety and Standards Regulations (FSSR), 2011, granted by the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court recently, has boosted the confidence of other traders' bodies in Tamil Nadu, including the Karaikudi Bakery Owners' Association (KBOA). In fact, the KBOA has decided to move court for an injunction in licensing and registration cases, and seems confident that many more writ petitions will follow suit.
“We would appreciate it if the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006, is simplified, and more importantly, made more inclusive. However safe we try to make our products, we are no match for the multinational corporations and large-sized producers who are members of the panel formed to implement the Act. We face the threat of being wiped out of the industry, and that could affect the livelihood of lakhs,” R Kaleeswaran, honorary secretary, KBOA, said.
“Not only is the nomination process to this panel flawed, but vests in the food safety officers powers that they will misuse. We (small- and medium-sized food business operators) would like to run our businesses without having to resort to any unethical practices, but obtaining a licence or registration without paying an arbitrary penalty, which is often very high, is impossible. And to top it all, we have to become compliant in less than four months,” he said.
“We would appreciate it if the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006, is simplified, and more importantly, made more inclusive. However safe we try to make our products, we are no match for the multinational corporations and large-sized producers who are members of the panel formed to implement the Act. We face the threat of being wiped out of the industry, and that could affect the livelihood of lakhs,” R Kaleeswaran, honorary secretary, KBOA, said.
“Not only is the nomination process to this panel flawed, but vests in the food safety officers powers that they will misuse. We (small- and medium-sized food business operators) would like to run our businesses without having to resort to any unethical practices, but obtaining a licence or registration without paying an arbitrary penalty, which is often very high, is impossible. And to top it all, we have to become compliant in less than four months,” he said.
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