Oct 15, 2016

8 Absolutely important questions about FSSA, 2006 – Answered!

FSSA 2006 – I will own a food business! Noble thought! We need food and variety is always adorned! Now, there are several questions which arise while planning or expanding a food business. The whats, whys, and hows usually begins with what kind of business, and what are the requirements.
Let’s not forget we need not just food, but safe food, hygienic and wholesome. Yet, tasty and delicious! For the tasty part, well, India is blessed with abundant spices and brilliant cooks! As far as safety is concerned, FSSAI helps govern the same.
We have answered 8 of the most common and frequently asked questions that every FBO needs to know:

What is Food safety and standards act (FSSA), 2006 & why this Act is needed?
Food safety and standards Act FSSA, 2006 is an Act enacted to keep up with the changing needs / requirements of time and to consolidate the laws relating to food and to establish the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. The Act was needed to bring out a single statutory body for food laws, standards setting and enforcement so that there is one agency to monitor the compliance and no confusion arises in the minds of consumers, traders, manufacturers and investors which was due to multiplicity of food laws.

Does FSSA serve the purpose of a unified food law?
Yes, as the Act consolidates various food laws.

Who is responsible for implementation & enforcement of FSSA, 2006? Or Who is the regulatory authority under the Food Act in India?
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India in association with State Food Authorities are responsible for implementation & enforcement of FSSA, 2006.

What is the mandate of Food Authority? Or What are the salient features of FSSA, 2006?
The mandate assigned to the Food Authority is laying down science based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import, to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption.

Which Acts/Orders related to food is repealed in FSSA, 2006? Or What are the major elements of the law?
The following Acts/Orders mentioned in second schedule of the Act are going to be repealed in Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006:
1. Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954
2. Fruit Products Order, 1955
3. Meat Food Products Order, 1973
4. Vegetable Oil Products (Control) Order, 1947
5. Edible Oils Packaging (Regulation) Order, 1998
6. Solvent Extracted Oil, De-oiled Meal, and Edible Flour (Control) Order, 1967
7. Milk and Milk Products Order, 1992
8. Any other order under Essential Commodities Act, 1955 relating to food

How does this Act change the way PFA regulates the food? Or What are the major difference between the new Act and PFA Act?
The critical shifts from PFA to FSSAI are as under:
PFA                                                 FSSA
Multiple Authorities                       Single Authority
Adulteration                                    Safety
Inspection / Control                        Monitoring Surveillance
Insufficient Enforcement                Personnel Full time district Officer

How consumers are benefited through FSSA?
The representative of the consumer organizations are members of the Food Authorities and Central Advisory Committee. The consumer may analyze the samples of food on payment of fees. The in case of injury of death of consumer there is a provision for compensation to the consumer.

Whether all the sections of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 have been notified?
All sections of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 have been notified by Government of India except the provisions relating to the genetically engineered or modified food in section 22.

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