S
N Mohanty took over as the chief executive officer (CEO), Food Safety
and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), on May 7, 2012, at a crucial
juncture – just a few months after the implementation of the Food Safety
& Standards Regulations, 2011, in the country. During this
five-month tenure, the new CEO has faced several challenges - extension
of the licensing and registration deadline, establishment of proper
infrastructure such as scientific panels, and labs, and perpetuation of
deterrence mechanism like fines and punishments in ensuring complete
food safety under the new law. In an exclusive interview with Abhitash
Singh, he reveals the details.
It has been more than four months since you took the reins of the FSSAI CEO. How has your journey been so far?
Since
taking charge as the FSSAI CEO, I have been able to do couple of
things. Firstly the licensing part was under the table which I extended
for a moratorium period of six months. Secondly I have standardised the
lab testing parameters. We are inventing standard testing parameters
like the one in Kolkata for Mumbai and other parts of the country too.
Thirdly, I am concentrating on import control procedures, and fourthly,
the risk management system is my priority, because it will fast-track
the product approval. I have started the journey, and it is still on.
What
is the status of food testing labs in the pipeline and scientific
panels for various categories for food and beverages, as mandated by the
Act?
We have about 70 accredited labs and 45 are being set up
currently. By the end of the Twelfth Plan, there will be about 200 labs.
In addition, there will be 70 intermediate labs and 30 referral labs.
The investment for all these labs will be around Rs 25,000 to 30,000
crore. Presently we have eight scientific panels, and we will create a
new panel for fishery products soon.
How much awareness has been
built up with regard to food recalls under the new Act? Could you give
some instances of food recalls in India since the Act came into force?
We
are just ready with the Regulations. It has not yet come into effect.
The Act came into force on August 5, 2011, and has just completed one
year. We require Regulations in process. Regulations is pre-requisite.
No, there is not even a single food recall under the new Act.
Is
the process of formation of courts and adjudicating officers in various
areas over? What are the highest fines and punishments that has been
awarded to offenders?
Yes, it is over. With regards to tribunal
only a few states have done it, and others are in the process of doing
it. The highest fines at some places were Rs 20 lakh.
Under many
FDAs and FDCAs, there have been numerous complaints about the lack of
food safety officers (FSOs). What steps are being taken to solve this
problem?
During the Twelfth Plan we will assess for enforcement.
Minimality is expected from the state government. Some states have
already started filling the posts. Universal applications are there for
food safety officers (FSOs). We are providing regulatory training to
FSOs. FSOs should have the knowledge of the Act. We are working on
increasing the numbers of FSOs and very soon we will be able to succeed
in our aim.
What were the agendas of the Authority and CAC
meeting held in July-August 2012 with respect to labs, licensing and
registration, categorisation of stake holders and regulatory officers
and products approvals?
The Authority conducted its Ninth
Authority Meeting. At the meeting, draft standards for olive oil, draft
standards for caffeinated beverages, use of nutritional ingredients in
various food items, amendment to the food safety and standards
(contaminants, toxins and residues) regulations, fixing of antioxidant
limit in honey and draft import regulations were discussed. We cleared
eight standards during our Ninth Authority Meeting. During the Tenth
Authority Meeting which was recently held we have cleared ten standards
for food and safety.
The last date for obtaining licenses and
registrations for all food businesses across the country is February 5,
2013. What is the current status on the streamlining of the process?
Central
licenses are under control. We have to step up at the state level. I would like to urge all food business operators
(FBOs) to approach their relevant authorities and designated officers
and apply for food safety licenses well before the deadline. They should
take licenses on a urgent basis and not rush at the last moment. FBOs
of all the states should go to their designated officers and obtain the
licenses as soon as possible, otherwise clogging will take place.
What is the current scenario regarding uniformity in licensing and registration?
We
have allowed central licensing system for three states, namely Goa,
Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. We are rolling out bundled software for
states because issuing large number of physical licenses is a difficult
process. The online licensing system was introduced to have uniformity,
easy accessibility and transparency. Some states is beginning to think
about it. We have done our duty. Now the preparedness is expected of the
states. FSSAI is also providing the details in writing to all the
states.
Although co-production will become mandatory, could you
throw some light on the individual roles of the regulator and the food
business operators (FBOs) with respect to ensuring that they comply with
the guidelines and self-regulation?
Regulators are doing their work through a science-based approach. FBOs should take the responsibility themselves.
One
of the items on the agenda was regarding the approval of blue tinted
plastic containers for bulk packaging, mineral water and packaged
drinking water. Are there any other F&B packaging materials awaiting
approval?
Yes, the approval of blue tinted plastic containers
for bulk packaging and water has been cleared. And as far as other
F&B packaging materials are concerned, a call will be taken on them
in the Twelfth Plan.
The time period for setting up food testing labs has now become shorter. Are you satisfied
with the current scenario? Please throw some light on the complaints
that labs aren't functioning properly, and the delay in sending samples
for testing, as a result of which punishments are not being awarded on
time?
Yes, it has become shorter. I would like to have the lab at
the quickest but we don't stay in the country where our wish comes true
as per our wishlist. The Twelfth Plan has got the National Development
Council's (NDC) clearance 15 days ago. The average time for lab testing
is five days, but there could be a delay because some foods take longer
time for testing. Functional food testing takes time. Safety of the food
should be established first. The public has been allowed to take
samples and prove it. FSSAI has enabled every citizen to be a regulator.
Now consumers can take the samples themselves and can complain to the
food safety officer of their area. Yes, it is true that adulteration
takes place during festivals, and the process for the punishments takes
time and the reason the offenders walk freely. This festive season we
are trying to make people aware about the adulteration in Delhi and what
action they should take if they find adulteration. Other states will
follow suit. We should congratulate the authors of the Food Safety and
Standards Act (FSSA), 2006. It is a science-based Act and won't promote
Inspector Raj.
November 1, 2012 is the deadline for compliance with the Metrological Act. How is the FSSAI gearing up for that?
We
have looked at that. It talks about the pack sizes. There are similar
types of prohibition in other countries also. Basically the metric
system is not a great conflict for us. Genetically-modified (GM) food is
not allowed at all in India.
Food importers were not happy with the labelling norms? What steps have been taken to solve that problem?
The
Act come into force on August 5, 2011, and the transitory period is
over for them. Who is happy and who is unhappy is not our lookout, and
we can't do anything about it. There is nothing irrational about
labelling norms, and that is the law.
People in India are not aware about food safety, what steps have been taken by you to create awareness?
Awareness
generation is the most crucial component, which needs continuous and
constant efforts targeted at various stakeholders, viz. consumers, FBOs,
petty food manufacturers, hawkers, etc. A lot of promotional activities
need to be organised to make people aware of the essential elements of
the Act, mandatory parameters in starting a food business,
clarifications with respect to online and manual licensing and
registration systems. The Information, Education and Communication (IEC)
materials that are being developed in the Authority would be provided
to each state, which could be translated in its respective language. We
are giving a priority for awareness campaigns on a consistent basis. We
also ran a education programme on Kalyani TV on wholesome foods and
hygiene earlier, and now we are running a programme on contaminated and
adulterated supplements to educate the people.
