NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 22:
The issue of processed food import consignments worth crores of rupees held up by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in various ports and airports due to ‘improper’ labelling has landed at the Prime Minister’s door.
“I have discussed the issue with Health Minister Harsh Vardhan and the matter is now with the PMO. The system needs to be more transparent and less rigid,” said Union Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal here on Monday. She added that while health safety had to be kept in mind, the growth of industry should also be taken into account.
According to FSSAI, the nodal agency under the Health Ministry, labels on shipped imported packaged food items must list the ingredients used and the nutritional value in English, along with the producer’s name, address and the country of origin in the prescribed format. As per the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006 that came into force in 2011, pasting of stickers on products is also not allowed.
Badal, who was addressing the media on the her Ministry’s 100-day report card, however, denied reports that her Ministry was pushing for the food regulator to be brought under her Ministry, or jointly handled with the Health Ministry.
“It does not matter under who the system is, but it should not be arbitrary,” Badal said, adding that various stakeholders had met her regarding their import consignments being held up ahead of the festival season. Among the companies affected are some top MNCs as well as gourmet restaurants that use ingredients, such as olives and olive oil, canola oil liquor, seafood, herbs, sauces, chocolate and other ingredients.
Almost 400-500 odd containers of shipment were lying at different ports and airports for their failure to meet FSSAI’s labelling norms. Some importers are said to have even made advance payments for them.
The issue of processed food import consignments worth crores of rupees held up by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in various ports and airports due to ‘improper’ labelling has landed at the Prime Minister’s door.
“I have discussed the issue with Health Minister Harsh Vardhan and the matter is now with the PMO. The system needs to be more transparent and less rigid,” said Union Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal here on Monday. She added that while health safety had to be kept in mind, the growth of industry should also be taken into account.
According to FSSAI, the nodal agency under the Health Ministry, labels on shipped imported packaged food items must list the ingredients used and the nutritional value in English, along with the producer’s name, address and the country of origin in the prescribed format. As per the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006 that came into force in 2011, pasting of stickers on products is also not allowed.
Badal, who was addressing the media on the her Ministry’s 100-day report card, however, denied reports that her Ministry was pushing for the food regulator to be brought under her Ministry, or jointly handled with the Health Ministry.
“It does not matter under who the system is, but it should not be arbitrary,” Badal said, adding that various stakeholders had met her regarding their import consignments being held up ahead of the festival season. Among the companies affected are some top MNCs as well as gourmet restaurants that use ingredients, such as olives and olive oil, canola oil liquor, seafood, herbs, sauces, chocolate and other ingredients.
Almost 400-500 odd containers of shipment were lying at different ports and airports for their failure to meet FSSAI’s labelling norms. Some importers are said to have even made advance payments for them.
FSSAI achievement in BJP rule -
ReplyDelete1. Impounding Rs.25000 Cr.imports for labeling defects and making Importer to run away from the business.
2.Failure to create awareness in this segment by involving all stake holders.
3.Extending the time limit to 1 yr instead of every 6 months for regn / licensing.