LICENSING / REGISTRATION - CLARIFICATIONS FROM FSSAI

FSS implementation status, licensing dominate FSSAI 6th CAC meeting agenda

The 6th Central Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting of Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) was conducted by the body at its premises recently.

Commissioners of food safety of major states / union territories participated in the meet with status reports of respective states. The reports elaborated on the progress made in implementation of the FSS Act, Rules and Regulations etc. and appointment of regulators as well as legal machinery i.e. food appellate tribunals.

V N Gaur, CEO, FSSAI, while welcoming the members, shared the salient points about the recent milk survey report over which the media reports created apprehensions about large-scale adulteration in the minds of people. He advised all the states to examine the issues highlighted in the executive summary of the report and take appropriate measures.

The Central Licensing System (CLS) software developed by NISG has been implemented and licenses are being issued. Initially five regions AP, Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Delhi joined for similar templates for state licensing, however, other regions also showed eagerness to use the software, it was learnt at the meeting.

The meeting was also told that food safety helpline and website needed to be developed by states and each state needed to appoint a nodal officer for issues related to food safety till such time complete processes were in place for quick disposal of grievances, if any. Training programmes are to be organised on pan-India basis at select institutions and states have to come forward in identifying resource persons and other infrastructure wherever required FSSAI will provide all possible help.

Director (administration) FSSAI outlined the contribution of Gaur, who would be superannuating shortly, to the body. From first CAC till the present meeting, Gaur had brought about a distinct integration of various processes enunciated in new law and provided a stable platform for implementing as well as enforcing FSS Act, Rules and Regulations both in letter and spirit. The house gave a standing ovation to Gaur.

Towards the end, the CEO emphasised upon licensing and import food clearances needing improvements as first time such a system had been developed and advised states to remain in constant touch with FSSAI about enforcement of Act.

OMFED supply unaffected by adulteration row

BHUBANESWAR: Reports on milk adulteration throughout the country have not affected the sale of Orissa State Co-operative Milk Producers’ Federation (OMFED) products, with its sale figures still on the rise. OMFED has come under fire following a report by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which revealed that samples collected from milk supplied in the State were found to be 100 per cent adulterated. A PIL has also been filed in the Orissa High Court in this connection.
OMFED milk supply has increased from 4,80,000 litres to 4,90,000 litres in the recent times. The milk supply is now set to reach the 5 lakh-litre mark, a senior OMFED official said.
Around 2.54 lakh farmers supply milk to OMFED on a daily basis.
Though at times the farmers add salt or sugar to meet the SNF (Solid Not Fat) content, on detection, such milk is rejected by OMFED.
OMFED authorities have created special squads, who are conducting surprise checks to curb adulteration.
Organoleptic tests are conducted by the OMFED authorities at every booth to check adulteration.
The ones that do not meet the required standards are rejected on the spot, the Omfed official said.
People by and large depend on OMFED for their daily quota of milk. Following the report on adulteration, people have started getting apprehensive.
“I don’t give preference to OMFED products, but still there is no alternative,” says Divya, a housewife.
Milk samples from OMFED, Kamdhenu and other private distributors have been taken by the Public Health department for examination. The reports of the tests are awaited.