FSSAI guidelines ‘a pain point for the catering industry’

In the business of outdoor catering, most catering organisations offer their services at multiple venues, in which the caterers have little or no control

MUMBAI, AUGUST 25: 

One assumes that the Maggi controversy would have led to a scramble for ‘safety’ certification from everybody associated with the food and beverage business. But for the catering business in India, it has led to even more chaos, in a pre-dominantly unorganised sector.

According to the Federation of All India Caterers, an industry body that has more than 3,000 members across 14 States, the rules for food safety in India as mandated by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), has found more naysayers in their industry.Outdoor catering

Narendra Somani, President, Federation of All India Caterers (FAIC), says that only 30 per cent of its membership base have taken the FSSAI certification. He adds, “There are as many as 35 guidelines as mandated by the FSSAI that are not possible to follow in an outdoor venue.”

Yogesh Chandarana, Vice President, FAIC, adds that in the business of outdoor catering, most catering organisations offer their services at multiple venues, in which the caterers have little or no control. For example, the FSSAI guidelines mandate that the caterer should describe the source of water used for cooking and also get it tested from an accredited laboratory.

The other pain point is when electricity is used in the manufacture of the food items. In this case, the caterer is expected to “state the exact HP used or sanctioned electricity load” (both conditions are difficult to satisfy if the catering contractor has no say in which venue the event is being held).

Kirit Budhdev of Rachit Catering Service, a Rajkot-based caterer and Secretary, FAIC, adds that there have been representations made to the Centre to formulate guidelines that will help in the growth of the catering industry

Industry executives say that the future of the business will come up for active discussion at the large industry convention that FAIC is putting together in Mumbai over this weekend (August 27-29). The line-up of speakers includes names like celebrity chefs Sanjeev Kapoor and Vikas Khanna.