MANGALORE: All food business operators (FBO)- from transporters to sellers - will need to comply with the rules under Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act 2006 by applying for license before August 4. It will become obligatory on all FBOs including big hoteliers, small canteens, road side vendors, wholesalers, retailers, stockists' and food item sellers including grocers to obtain licences under the act.
Ujjwal Kumar, country head of CQM Quality Management Private Limited, the certification body approved by the Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), said that non-compliance with the provisions of the act and its rules would conform to offences and would attract penalties upto Rs 10 lakh and a maximum punishment of life imprisonment depending on the nature of the offence.
Delivering a talk on the act here on Wednesday, Ujjwal said that all the eight existing acts, which control the food security and standards in the nation, would either be repealed or merged with the FSS Act after it comes to force on August 5. As per the act, FSSAI would function as a single reference point for all matters related to food safety and standards in the nation, he added.
Primary food produces of agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, dairy farming, aquaculture, genetically modified food, catering, alcoholic drinks and food additives of all kind would be covered under the act, he said. The FBOs in the government sectors too are not excluded from the purview of the act.
On usage of additives in the form chemicals in food items, Ujjwal said that manufacturers would have no freedom to procure any kind additives other than those prescribed while obtaining the licence.
Petty FBOs, whose annual business turnover is less than Rs 12 lakh need not apply for licence. They will have to register with the authority. Meanwhile, FBOs, whose annual turnover is above Rs 12 lakh will need to apply for a licence. There will be one authorized laboratory in each district in the nation to check the food security and standards.
Mr. Kumar was speaking at a training programme on Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 organised by the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry here on Wednesday.
He said establishments included those dealing with processed food, unprocessed food, partially processed food, genetically modified food, infant food, packaged drinking water and alcoholic drinks. “Those transporting these goods also should get registered. Even caterers should get registered,” he added.
Petty retailers, hawkers and small-scale food business with an annual turnover not above Rs. 12 lakh should get registered by paying the annual fee of Rs. 100. Medium and large-scale units involved in dairy, vegetable oil processing, meat processing, food processing and export oriented ones should operate by getting licence from the State and the Central Licensing Authorities as specified under the Act. Licenses would be given within six months from the date of application, Mr. Kumar said. The Act, Mr. Kumar said, gave powers to consumers. “He/she can go to any establishment, take samples of the food and inform the police about the need to check the samples.” Mr. Kumar said these samples would be tested in the laboratories accredited by National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories. If the product was found to be bad for consumption, it would be banned by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. The authority had powers to recall the batch of defective product, he added.
Ujjwal Kumar, country head of CQM Quality Management Private Limited, the certification body approved by the Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), said that non-compliance with the provisions of the act and its rules would conform to offences and would attract penalties upto Rs 10 lakh and a maximum punishment of life imprisonment depending on the nature of the offence.
Delivering a talk on the act here on Wednesday, Ujjwal said that all the eight existing acts, which control the food security and standards in the nation, would either be repealed or merged with the FSS Act after it comes to force on August 5. As per the act, FSSAI would function as a single reference point for all matters related to food safety and standards in the nation, he added.
Primary food produces of agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, dairy farming, aquaculture, genetically modified food, catering, alcoholic drinks and food additives of all kind would be covered under the act, he said. The FBOs in the government sectors too are not excluded from the purview of the act.
On usage of additives in the form chemicals in food items, Ujjwal said that manufacturers would have no freedom to procure any kind additives other than those prescribed while obtaining the licence.
Petty FBOs, whose annual business turnover is less than Rs 12 lakh need not apply for licence. They will have to register with the authority. Meanwhile, FBOs, whose annual turnover is above Rs 12 lakh will need to apply for a licence. There will be one authorized laboratory in each district in the nation to check the food security and standards.
‘Establishments dealing with food items must get registered by August'
Those transporting such goods also should get registered: Ujjwal Kumar
All establishments dealing with food items should get registered by August 2012 under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Those operating without registration after August will be liable for punishment, Ujjwal Kumar, Country Head, CQM Quality Management, has said.Mr. Kumar was speaking at a training programme on Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 organised by the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry here on Wednesday.
He said establishments included those dealing with processed food, unprocessed food, partially processed food, genetically modified food, infant food, packaged drinking water and alcoholic drinks. “Those transporting these goods also should get registered. Even caterers should get registered,” he added.
Petty retailers, hawkers and small-scale food business with an annual turnover not above Rs. 12 lakh should get registered by paying the annual fee of Rs. 100. Medium and large-scale units involved in dairy, vegetable oil processing, meat processing, food processing and export oriented ones should operate by getting licence from the State and the Central Licensing Authorities as specified under the Act. Licenses would be given within six months from the date of application, Mr. Kumar said. The Act, Mr. Kumar said, gave powers to consumers. “He/she can go to any establishment, take samples of the food and inform the police about the need to check the samples.” Mr. Kumar said these samples would be tested in the laboratories accredited by National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories. If the product was found to be bad for consumption, it would be banned by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. The authority had powers to recall the batch of defective product, he added.
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