Sep 27, 2012

'Even Farmers have to register under Food Safety Act'

NAGPUR: The CEO of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), S N Mohanty while replying to a question posed by a delegation of Vidarbha Taxpayers Association (VTA) said that under the new Food Safety Act even farmers are required to obtain a registration before selling their produce in the market.

The statement came after the VTA delegation asked as to why farmers and milk societies are excluded from the purview of this law. On this Mohanty replied that FSSAI was formed after the Food Safety Act came into existence and hence only the Parliament can answer this question. However he categorically said that farmers are also required to obtain registration under the act before selling their produce claimed a press release issued by VTA.

VTA claims the new Food Safety Act in force since August this year, is threatening the very existence of several operators in the eatery and other food related businesses. They termed several provisions of the law to practically impossible to comply claiming that it may also lead to Inspector Raj as tremendous powers have been vested with the officials.

Secretary of VTA Tejindersingh Renu, questioned the CEO as to why the law failed in creating a logical balance and gradation between different types of businesses to be covered under the act. The act practically covers all the kinds of businesses including those even slightly related too food or food material. ""Under the new law there will be similar norms for a dhabha (highway eatery) to a seven star hotel,"" said Renu.

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