Separate department to handle food safety and drug administration

A separate department for Food Safety and Drug Administration for issuing licences and registering dealers in edible goods has been created under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as mandated under the Food Safety and Standards Act that came into force on August 5, 2011.

According to an administration release, the State government had made a preliminary allocation of Rs.50 crore in the budget for the new department. Under the Act, the State government has appointed a Food Commissioner at the State level, and designated food safety officers at district and block level. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, consolidates all existing food laws and has repealed eight food-related laws. With the coming into force of Food Safety and Standards Act, the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954; The Fruit Products Order, 1955; The Meat Food Products Order, 1973; The Vegetable Oil Products (Control) Order, 1947; The Edible Oils Packaging (Regulation) Order, 1988; The Solvent Extracted Oil, De-oiled Meal, and Edible Flour (Control) Order,1967; The Milk and Milk Products Order, 1992; Essential Commodities Act, 1955 relating to food along with the Tamil Nadu Public Health Act, 1939; stands repealed since August 5, 2011.

Under the earlier Act - petty shop owners, grocers, petty vendors, tea stalls, bakeries, butchers and those dealing in raw meat, eateries, dealers and retailers in milk and dairy products, road-side eateries and vendors, fish vendors, retailers, canteens in school, colleges, and movie halls, wedding halls, hostel mess, and private caterers among others were required to have their activities registered with the local bodies or other entities concerned. With the coming into force of the new Act, all registrations, licensing, and renewal shall be solely handled by the Department of Food Safety and Drug Administration.