Maggi effect: regulator to seek 6-monthly third-party test reports

NEW DELHI, JUNE 10: 

As a fallout of Nestle’s ‘Maggi’ recall, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has decided to ask companies to submit third-party test reports of their products every six months.

YS Malik, FSSAI CEO, told BusinessLine: “We do safety risk assessments based on the analyses of these third-party labs before granting approvals for new products. But now we will also start asking them to provide us with third-party test reports of their samples every six months.”

This is besides the current practice of approving new food product applications on the basis of self-certification based on third-party lab test results. The companies are being asked to do so as it is not possible for the Central authority to keep going to all corners of the country to collect product samples.

‘No timeframe’

Asked if any timeframe has been set for Nestle India to withdraw the controversial product, Malik said, “No timeframe has been set. They are submitting daily reports and we are also doing weekly reviews.”

With about 38 crore Maggi packets required to be recalled, it will take time, he said, adding that “We have asked them to keep recalling the packets and keep destroying them.”

During the Central Advisory Committee meeting last week, States were advised to increase testing of samples of packaged foods based on consumption patterns in their regions, he said. “So far concentration of sample collection has been higher for milk and milk products, packaged water, and edible oils, which are large consumption items and are an area of concern. The level of rigour and compliance is supposed to be high since the Food Safety Act, 2006, puts the onus of self-compliance on these companies,” he added.

With companies like Starbucks also facing the heat, the FSSAI is now contemplating setting standards that require fast-food companies serving products such as burgers and pizzas to declare the nutritional value and content of their products.

This is to ensure that these fast-food chains declare calories and fat-content levels on their menus.