Nov 29, 2017
FSSAI issues detailed guidelines on recall of food products
Delhi, Nov 28 Food safety regulator FSSAI today asked companies to put in place a proper plan to recall food products from markets if found unsafe and also inform the authority about the same.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) today issued detailed guidelines on recall of food products and said that the purpose is to help food business operators (FBOs) frame a proper recall plan and implement them when the situation demand.
"At the time of recall being carried out, the FBO shall submit their detailed recall plan to the CEO, FSSAI," the regulator said.
According to FSSAI, food recalls are an appropriate method for removing or correcting marketed food products and their labelling that violate the laws administered by the regulatory authority.
Recall can be defined as an action to remove food products from market at any stage of the food chain, including that possessed by consumer, which may pose a threat to the public health or food that violate the Act, or the rules or regulations made thereunder.
As per the guidelines, FSSAI as outlined FBOs to follow 10 steps to carry out entire recall exercise.
The key steps are that FBOs need to set up a recall management team, inform the regulator, identify all products to be recalled, detain and segregate products to be recalled which are in the company's control besides verifying the effectiveness of the recall.
"The recovered product must be stored in an area which is separated from any other food product. Accurate records are to be kept of the amount of recovered product and the batch codes of the product recovered," the FSSAI said.
After recovery, products may be corrected or reprocessed before release to the market if it is fit for human consumption.
"Otherwise the product is to be destroyed. The action to be taken on the recalled product should be approved by the competent Authority," it added.
FSSAI further said the companies, which have produced unsafe products, should take steps so that the need for such recalls do not arise again in future.
Guidelines for food recall released
Responsibility of implementing recall lies with companies, says regulator FSSAI
NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 28:
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Tuesday released guidelines for food companies to implement and develop food recall plans and said the primary responsibility of implementing any recall lies with the food companies. It also said if the recall is related to serious defects in the manufacturing process, FSSAI could also review the licence of the food company.
Earlier this year, the food safety regulator had notified a comprehensive regulation for food recall.
Elaborating on its role in the event of a food recall initiated by a company, it said the Authority’s role is to monitor the recall, publicise the recall to inform consumers if required, and make sure the recalled products are destroyed or suitably improved. Stating that the primary responsibility of implementing food recall lies with food companies, FSSAI said they should ensure compliance with recall procedures at various stages, which includes follow-up checks to ensure that the recall is successful and subsequent batches are safe for consumption.
Stating that the purpose of the guidelines is to give an overview on how to develop and implement a recall plan, FSSAI said food companies would need to follow a 10-step plan. This includes assembling a recall management team, giving detailed information on products being recalled to the regulator, informing consumers and others stakeholders within the food chain, distribution chain among others.
The guidelines also state that food companies need to ensure they give regular status updates on the implementation of the recall plans to the FSSAI at least weekly.
Maggi makers Nestle, distributors fined Rs.62 lakh in U.P.
Nestle India was forced to withdraw Maggi from the market and stop production in June after the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India banned the instant noodle brand saying it was ‘unsafe and hazardous’ for consumption.
It “appears to be a case of application of incorrect standards,” says Nestle India spokesperson.
Multinational giant Nestle is under the scanner once again as it has been fined ₹45 lakh after samples of its product Maggi tested as “sub-standard” in a district of Uttar Pradesh.
Apart from the ₹45 lakh fine imposed on Nestle, the Shahjahanpur administration has also imposed a fine of ₹17 lakh on the six distributors of the company, making the total ₹62 lakh.
Shahjahanpur Additional District Magistrate Jitendra Kumar Sharma confirmed the administration's decision to The Hindu. “In total there were seven cases. The samples tested by the Food and Safety department of the district were found to be sub-standard,” Mr. Sharma said.
Responding to the fine, a Nestle India spokesperson said it “appears to be a case of application of incorrect standards.”
The company will file an appeal once it receives the order from the U.P. administration.
“We strongly reiterate that Maggi Noodles are 100% safe for consumption. While we have not received the orders passed by the adjudication officer, we have been informed that the samples are of year 2015 and the issue pertains to ‘ash content’ in Noodles,” the spokesperson said.
“In 2015, Nestlé India and other companies had represented to the relevant authorities, via industry associations, to set standards specific to instant noodles to avoid confusion amongst enforcement officers and consumers. The standards have since been introduced and the product complies with these standards. We regret the confusion it may cause to consumers.”
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