National food safety regulator lays down stringent recall procedures for food companies

"The food business operator shall be liable for violation (of a recall order)," said the note, which has sought suggestions and comments from companies. ET has reviewed a copy of the letter. 

NEW DELHI: The national food safety regulator has laid down detailed recall procedures for food companies and said it will be mandatory for every firm to have a detailed recall plan ready and to comply with recall orders. If any company refuses to act on a recall order, then the concerned food authorities can take appropriate action, the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has written to food business operators. 

"The food business operator shall be liable for violation (of a recall order)," said the note, which has sought suggestions and comments from companies. ET has reviewed a copy of the letter. 

"A recall plan must be available in writing and shall be made available to the food authority on request. It shall also be a part of the annual audit of the food business," said the regulator that has ordered a number of recalls recently, including that of the popular instant noodles brand Maggi.

Once a recall is initiated, retailers should immediately remove recalled stocks from shelves and return them to the manufacturer, importer or wholesaler, while companies should inform consumers about it by releasing 'food recall notices' through press releases, letters and advertisements, it said. 

Companies also need to keep the authorities up to date by providing "recall status reports" at the least on a weekly basis. 

"The frequency of such reports will be determined by the relative urgency or gravity of the recall," the regulator said. "Recall of food is in the common interest of the industry, government and, in particular, consumers," it said. 

Some industry insiders feel the regulator is acting a bit too hastily. "Before talking about recall procedures, the regulator should detail its own testing protocols and sample sizes, and allow for a suitable defence from the company," the CEO of a leading foods firm said on condition of anonymity. 

"Ordering a recall is a drastic step, especially given the disaggregate nature of trade in the country and can cost companies crores," the person said. RS Sodhi, managing director at Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation that makes Amul brand of dairy products, said, "Defining systematic food recall procedures is a requirement that's much needed for industry. 

But the systems should be practical and feasible, especially given the very complex retail environment of India." FSSAI in its letter said authorities can also initiate recall of food manufactured overseas as well as food meant for exports. 

"Export oriented units also need to have a recall plan in place as there may be food products that can be directed to local consumers in India," it said, adding that food imported into the country will be checked by port authorities. 

The regulator had on June 5 ordered Nestle to recall its two-minute snack Maggi, after tests showed the noodles to contain lead and flavour enhancer monosodium glutamate in excess of permissible limits. Nestle has said that the withdrawal of Maggi — the country's biggest recall exercise to date — will cost the company more than Rs 320 crore. On Monday, FSSAI ordered recall of four health supplements aimed at children —Mulmin Pro, Mulmin Syrup, Mulmin Plus Capsule and Mulmin Drops, all made by Jagdale Industries — with immediate effect, over health and safety concerns.