The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has advised state food regulators to chalk out an annual action plan and do regular testing of packaged food items, particularly with regard to finding out if the product contained what was claimed on the package.
Speaking to FnB News, Y S Malik, CEO, FSSAI, informs, “Earlier the focus was on loose food products like milk, edible oil etc. but now with the triggering of the issue related to Maggi, it has been advised to the state food safety commissioners to include the packaged products for testing and sampling on a regular basis.”
He adds, “Recently the advisory committee meeting was held and the state food safety authorities have been asked to chalk out an annual plan of action and keep focus on the packaged food. They have been advised to do regular checking,”
When asked whether any punitive action would be taken against Maggi, Malik said that under the FSS Act, the FSSAI had limited role. “The state authorities will wherever required take necessary penal action, as prescribed under the Chapter 9 of the FSS Act (in this case).”
Malik termed all such products which were currently sold and marketed in the country without any prior product approval as illegal. “They should be confiscated and destroyed,” he said.
It is pertinent to mention here that the row was a result of the claims made on the packaging of Maggi noodles. When the samples of the said product were taken for testing by the Uttar Pradesh Food Safety Authority, the primary objective was to identify the truth. This was confronted by the test result which came over a period of one-and-a-half years wherein result had shown alarming amount of Lead - a heavy metal and MSG – monosodium glutamate.
When asked about labelling norms under the Act, Malik said that they were under review.
He explains, “Labelling regulations are under review. It’s easier said than done. Even a small issue can delay or add time. There is a lot of debate on how things should go on a label. A lot of emphasis was laid on the language. Like for example, the issue of mentioning of ‘best before or expiry date or use by’ - how it should go on package."
Meanwhile, the CEO informed that FSSAI had constituted an expert group to study FSS Regulations.
Further, with regard to foods which were higher on sodium, sugar and fat, the companies were bound to explain the quantity of these ingredients as they would have serious implications on healthy part of the food. FSSAI is said to be working on to make this mandatory for all kinds of FBOs (Food Business Operators) to declare whether the food was packaged by a company or catering service (including Quick Service Restaurant).
As far as questions raised on the quality and capacity of Indian labs to conduct tests, Malik states, “Certainly we need more labs and there is need of ‘upgradation’ of the government-owned labs, as well. But we’re not in a handicapped situation. Currently some 82 labs have been accredited by the NABL in the private sector for such a purpose.”
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