Trade seeks more time to implement Food Safety Act

Madurai, Jan. 11:

Trade and industry bodies have voiced their concern, yet again, over the implementation of Food Safety and Standards Act ( FSS Act), relating to registration and obtaining of licence and sought extension of time. The last date has been fixed as February 2.
A delegation from Tamil Nadu Foodgrains Merchants Association led by its president S.P. Jeyapragakasam met the Governor of Tamil Nadu K. Rosaiah , during his visit to the city on Thursday and submitted a memorandum, urging him to insist on Union Health Minister Gulam Nabi Azad to consider and extend the date, for a period of another two years.
Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industries, in an appeal to Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), has sought an extension of time by a period of another one year, up to February 0, 2014. In a statement here it said that following representations made by various associations including the Chamber, the FSSAI, by a Statutory Advisory dated July 25, 2012, extended the time period granted to Food Business Operators for applying for registration/licence under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 up to February 4, 2013. According to the new Act, all those engaged in food products related trade and industry including packers, transporters, hotels, sweet stalls, marriage halls, etc., must register or obtain licence based on their turnover.