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Panel to help implement food safety Act

PUNE: An expert advisory committee will soon be formed and it will assist the local food and drug administration officials in implementation of Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, and Regulations, Rules, 2011, said Mahesh Zagade, commissioner, Food and Drug Administration, Maharashtra, on Tuesday.
Zagade was speaking at an interactive session organised jointly by National Agriculture and Food Analysis and Research Institute (NAFARI) and Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (MCCIA).
Representatives from food processing industries, traders and entrepreneurs attended the session, which was aimed at addressing questions and problems regarding the implementation of the new act and its rules.
The Agri-food Directory, a compilation of addresses of various manufacturers, businesses and industrial production units in the supply chain of food processing, was formally released by NAFARI on the occasion.
Anant Sardeshmukh, executive director general, MCCIA, said such deliberations and interactions in the preliminary stages of the Act were important for its effective implementation.
M A Tejani, member, executive committee, MCCIA, and president of All India Food Processors' Association, said the new act was a long-term vision and aimed at unifying separate legislations. "However, there are some teething problems when the implementation begins. Thus, stake-holders from industry and trade, along with the government, can together find solutions," said Tejani. Tejani suggested the formation of expert advisory committee which will address stakeholders' problems concerning the act and thus facilitate its effective implementation.
Tejani also sought clarity on the roles of the municipal corporation, Weight and Measure Department, and the state excise authority in the implementation of the Act to avoid duplication and dual enforcement. He added that the definition of "proprietary food" needed to be made clear. "According to present understanding, each proprietary food requires separate approval and licensing, which is highly impractical. Industry associations have already taken up the matter with food safety standard authority in Delhi," added Tejani.
Zagade, in response, said confusion about the provisions of the new act may have been the result of fewer interactions between the state authorities and stakeholders from the industry. "This act is more of a developmental act rather than a regulatory act. Also, the act is not an imposition on business, but seeks expansion of the food industry, enabling it to compete internationally. Complying with the standards of this act will enable the food industry in India reach the international market," he said.
"I have taken up the issue of forming a techno-scientific committee with the centre. Such a committee will come up on the local level throughout the country. The committee will promote more interaction between the implementing agencies of the act and stakeholders in the industry," said Zagade, adding that the lacunae in the provisions of the act will also be taken up with the central authority separately.
Vinay Oswal, director, NAFARI, suggested that nominations for the techno-scientific committee should come from the industry. "Also, the process of forming this body will be based on a selection criterion, while its operation will have a specific protocol. The body will undertake a multi-faceted role, making sure that the new act is implemented effectively. One of its roles will be scientific evaluation of issues related to food safety, and food products, eliminating food hazards and the like. The ultimate goal is that consumers should get good, healthy, hazard-free and nutritious food," Oswal said adding that the body will consist scientists and technologists from the food processing industry.