In a letter addressed to the chairman of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), titled, "Registration/Licensing of Food Business Operators before August 4, 2012: Extension thereof," Praveen Khandelwal, secretary-general, Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), has enumerated the issues that CAIT seeks to be redressed by the government or FSSAI.
"None of the food testing laboratories in the public sector are accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL). The online licensing system was introduced to ensure uniformity, easy accessibility and transparency. However, it hasn't been effectively implemented in a number of states, including Delhi," he said.
Khandelwal added, "Public laboratories functioning in states require attention. The 'upgradation' of public laboratories is still not up to the mark. It is necessary to have a larger network of laboratories which are conforming to minimum standards in the public sector."
"Training for different categories of regulatory staff needs to be looked into. The regulatory staff needs advanced training on the subject. Though efforts are being taken to train the staff, it still needs intensive training," he said.
"Awareness generation amongst food business operators (FBOs) is the need of the hour. After all, this (the Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006 - which came into force from August 5, 2011, replacing the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954) is a new law. A lot of promotional activities need to be undertaken to make people aware of the Act," Khandelwal said.
He explained, "There are many parameters in starting food business, people have to be made aware of these and clarifications with respect to the online and manual licensing and registration system. All the material concerning the Food Act has to be translated into various regional languages."
"In fact, a number of states, including Delhi, Nagaland, Odisha and Tripura, are yet to start licensing and registration under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. And then there are others, where the percentage of FBOs holding valid licences and registrations is very low," informed Khandelwal.
Commenting on the extension to the August 4, 2012, deadline for licensing and registration, Khandelwal said, "Even after almost a year since the Act was brought into effect, the teething troubles are far from over. In fact, there are huge gaps in licensing and registration and the transition period between conversion of the licences from the preceding Act to the current one."
"Many FBOs are still unaware of the procedures and the requirements for food safety and standard licenses/registrations. A number of court cases are pending in High Courts across the country. Due to this, far fewer licences have actually been issued than the expected number. Keeping these facts in mind, CAIT urged FSSAI to consider extending the deadline," he said.
"None of the food testing laboratories in the public sector are accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL). The online licensing system was introduced to ensure uniformity, easy accessibility and transparency. However, it hasn't been effectively implemented in a number of states, including Delhi," he said.
Khandelwal added, "Public laboratories functioning in states require attention. The 'upgradation' of public laboratories is still not up to the mark. It is necessary to have a larger network of laboratories which are conforming to minimum standards in the public sector."
"Training for different categories of regulatory staff needs to be looked into. The regulatory staff needs advanced training on the subject. Though efforts are being taken to train the staff, it still needs intensive training," he said.
"Awareness generation amongst food business operators (FBOs) is the need of the hour. After all, this (the Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006 - which came into force from August 5, 2011, replacing the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954) is a new law. A lot of promotional activities need to be undertaken to make people aware of the Act," Khandelwal said.
He explained, "There are many parameters in starting food business, people have to be made aware of these and clarifications with respect to the online and manual licensing and registration system. All the material concerning the Food Act has to be translated into various regional languages."
"In fact, a number of states, including Delhi, Nagaland, Odisha and Tripura, are yet to start licensing and registration under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. And then there are others, where the percentage of FBOs holding valid licences and registrations is very low," informed Khandelwal.
Commenting on the extension to the August 4, 2012, deadline for licensing and registration, Khandelwal said, "Even after almost a year since the Act was brought into effect, the teething troubles are far from over. In fact, there are huge gaps in licensing and registration and the transition period between conversion of the licences from the preceding Act to the current one."
"Many FBOs are still unaware of the procedures and the requirements for food safety and standard licenses/registrations. A number of court cases are pending in High Courts across the country. Due to this, far fewer licences have actually been issued than the expected number. Keeping these facts in mind, CAIT urged FSSAI to consider extending the deadline," he said.
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