Online FPAS introduced by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has finally launched the much-awaited online Food Products Approval System (FPAS).

The system is said to be aimed at ironing out the procedural difficulties applicants face while seeking approval for their products. A notification in this regard was issued by the Authority on September 9, 2014.

Delay in implementation

According to the earlier plan, the online system was scheduled to be put in place by February this year. This was hinted by K Chandramouli, chairman, FSSAI, during the interaction that he had with the industry last December.

This assurance was given by him following numerous complaints about delay in product approval. Even then the implementation was delayed due to the very reasons that have been plaguing the entire - offline as well as online - product approval process for a long time.

Nevertheless, with the system in place, users can now check online, the need for product approval of their products, apply online, pay relevant fee, provide required clarifications, track status and finally receive No Objection Certificate or Product Approval as relevant.

Litigations, NOC

In recent times, the issue of product approval seems to have been a thorn in the flesh between the industry and regulator. Also there are several litigations filed by disgruntled people in various courts. Products worth several crores of rupees were not allowed to enter into the country on account of NOC while hundreds of product approval applications remained pending with the FSSAI.

FSSAI has stated that this system is meant to bring in consistency, transparency and ease of use to the otherwise complex process of scientific risk assessment of new food products being introduced into the Indian market.

The system has been jointly developed by the apex food authority and ministry of health & family welfare. The project has been developed by National Institute for Smart Government (NISG) with the help of Product Approval and Screening Committee as part of the mandate of FSSAI to regulate the food business in the country.

Improvement of process

Meanwhile, Food Business Operators (FBOs) have been requested to utilise the online services and provide their feedback to improve the product approval process and eventually switch over to an ingredient-based authorisation system that is fully integrated with Food Licensing System and Food Import Clearance System, says the notice by FSSAI.

However, when contacted, industry players refrained from commenting on the system as good or bad. One senior industry member said that since the system is new and the industry is yet to see fully how workable this system is, it would be too early for them to call it a success. The industry is trying its hand on the new system. The industry representatives also had undergone a training session on how to use the system.

According to FSSAI, FBOs can apply for product approval online from anywhere, make online payment, can track the status of the application while the system would improve transparency of the PA system because it has database of FSSR and Codex product, ingredients and additives.

The system will also make tasks quicker and help in efficient evaluation of submitted application with streamlined communication between various stakeholders involved in the PA process.

The FPAS can be accessed through the website http://fpas.fssai.gov.in.