Aug 15, 2019
FSSAI makes third-party audits must for high-risk food-makers
This will reduce the burden of regulatory inspection
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has decided to make third-party audits mandatory for food businesses involving certain high-risk categories.
To strengthen the food surveillance system, the FSSAI has, for the first time, introduced the concept of food safety audits through recognised private agencies.
In its latest directive, FSSAI said that food businesses that hold central licences that involve dairy products, meat and meat products, eggs and egg products, besides fish and fish products, will be subject to ‘mandatory food safety auditing.’
In addition, central licence holders that make food products for particular nutritional purposes such as infant products will also be subject to mandatory food safety audits through recognised third-party agencies.
The order stated that companies involved in prepared foods businesses such as for catering purposes will also need to get their operations audited in a timely manner.
Eligible private agencies
Last year, FSSAI had notified the food safety auditing regulations and, earlier this year, it recognised 24 private agencies eligible to conduct food safety audits of food companies.
Since inspecting and auditing of food businesses and packaged food companies is a huge task, the regulator had decided to introduce the concept of food safety audits through recognised private agencies. It had earlier stated that selected food categories on the “basis of their risk classification will be subject to mandatory food safety auditing.”
The food safety authority believes that satisfactory audits will lead to less frequent regulatory inspections by the Central and State Licensing Authority, except for regulatory sampling.
Reducing workload
The regulator had earlier said that this will reduce the burden of regulatory inspection and encourage a culture of self-compliance among the food business ecosystem.
The regulator has already begun conducting food safety audits of nearly 486 government-licensed slaughterhouses.
Chennai collector warns of action against vendors who pack food in newspapers
CHENNAI: Chennai district collector R Seethalakshmi on Wednesday warned of action against vendors who store, distribute and sell food packed in printed newspaper, plastic bags and sheets sealed with stapler pins.
The sale of food packed in printed newspapers or any inked papers, plastic wraps and bags are not permitted by the Food Safety Act 2006 and the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulation, 2011 as they can cause serious health issues due to chemical and microbiological contamination.
“Action will be taken against vendors violating the rules,” Seethalakhsmi said.
Earlier, the health department and food safety officials had issued notices prohibiting the sale of food wrapped in newspapers and plastic bags. They had advised vendors to use stainless steel, fresh or dry leaves to store food. Yet, many vendors violated the rule.
According to a release from the collectorate, eatables like vada, bonda, pakoda and bhaji when packed in newspapers and plastic covers become toxic and should not be consumed. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had said the printing ink contains cancer-causing agents.
Recycled newsprints contain phthalate and mineral oil that should not be mixed with food. They also contain lead and cadmium. Once warm food is placed under newspaper, the printed ink melts and exposes the human body to various health problems, according to the release.
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