Food Safety and Standards Act of India, 2006- Introduction

 1.1     Introduction to FSSAI

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) operates under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. It oversees the production, storage, distribution, sale, and import of food items, and sets standards to guarantee food safety. The establishment of FSSAI dates back to the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which brought together all previous laws and directives concerning food safety that were previously managed by different ministries and departments. With its headquarters based in Delhi, FSSAI plays a crucial role in regulating the manufacture, storage, distribution, sale, and import of food articles, while also formulating and upholding standards to ensure food safety.

1.2     Genesis and Evolution

The FSSAI owes its existence to the evolution of food-related regulations in India. The FSS Act of 2006 consolidating various acts and orders that previously resided in different ministries and departments. Following acts were amalgamated under the FSS Act, bringing about a unified and comprehensive regulatory framework.

1. The Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954 (37 of 1954).

2. The Fruit Products Order, 1955.

3. The Meat Food Products Order, 1973.

4. The Vegetable Oil Products (Control) Order, 1947.

5. The Edible Oils Packaging (Regulation) Order, 1998.

6. The Solvent Extracted Oil, De oiled Meal, and Edible Flour (Control) Order, 1967.

7. The Milk and Milk Products Order, 1992.

8. Any other order issued under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 ( 10 of 1955) relating to food.

 

FSSAI, as a regulatory authority, was formally established in 2008. However, its full-fledged operations commenced in 2011, following the notification of its rules and key regulations. This transition marked a significant shift from a multi-level regulatory structure to a single line of control, emphasizing self-compliance over a purely regulatory regime.

1.3     The objective of FSSAI Act

1. The goals of the FSSAI Act encompass the following
2. Generate confidence among all stakeholders.
3. Ensure the establishment of standards and practices that fully assure consumers' interests and maintain the highest level of integrity possible.
4. Enhance the capacity of various stakeholders for an active and participatory role in ensuring food safety.
5. Broaden effective channels for disseminating information to empower consumers in making informed choices about the food they consume.
6. Establish a framework/structure for food safety, assigning clear responsibilities to each Food Business operator.
7. Consolidate laws related to food.
8. Regulate the manufacturing, storage, distribution, sale, and import of food articles to ensure safe and wholesome food for human consumption.
9. Pool infrastructure, manpower, and testing facilities for improved standard fixation and enforcement through better deployment.

1.4     Functions of FSSAI:

1. Formulating regulations to establish standard guidelines for articles of food and implementing various standards through proper notification.

2. Establishing mechanisms and guidelines for authorizing certification bodies involved in certifying food safety management systems for food business operators.

3. Establishing processes and guidelines for the authorization of laboratories and notifying authorized laboratories.

4. Providing scientific information and technical support to Central and State Governments on matters related to formulating policies and rules that directly or indirectly impact food safety and nutrition.

5. Collecting and consolidating data on food consumption, the incidence and prevalence of biological risks, contaminants in food, and residues of various adulterants/contaminants in food products. Identifying emerging threats and implementing a rapid alert system.

6. Creating an information data network across the country to ensure that consumers, the public, etc., receive fast, reliable, and objective information about food safety and concerning issues.

7. Conducting training programs for individuals involved or intending to get involved in food businesses in India.

8. Contributing to the development of international procedural standards for food, sanitary, and phytosanitary methods.

9. Promoting general awareness about food safety and food standards throughout India.

 

1.5     Important Food Safety and Standards Regulations

1. Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulation, 2011
2. Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulation, 2011
3. Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restriction of Sales) Regulation, 2011
4. Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulation, 2011
5. Food Safety and Standards (Laboratory and Sampling Analysis) Regulation, 2011
6. Food Safety and Standards (Health Supplements, Nutraceuticals, Food for Special Dietary Use, Food for Special Medical Purpose, Functional Food and Novel Food) Regulations, 2016
7. Food Safety and Standards (Food Recall Procedure) Regulation, 2017
8. Food Safety and Standards (Import) Regulation, 2017
9. Food Safety and Standards (Approval for Non-Specific Food and Food Ingredients) Regulation, 2017
10. Food Safety and Standards (Organic Food) Regulation, 2017
11. Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) Regulation, 2018
12. Food Safety and Standards (Fortification of Food) Regulation, 2018
13. Food Safety and Standards (Food Safety Auditing) Regulation, 2018
14. Food Safety and Standards (Recognition and Notification of Laboratories) Regulation, 2018
15. Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulation, 2018
16. Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulation, 2018
17. Food Safety and Standards (Recovery and Distribution of Surplus food) Regulation, 2019
18. Food Safety and Standards (Safe food and balanced diets for children in school) Regulations, 2020
19. Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 2020
20. Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020
21. Food Safety and Standards (Ayurveda Aahara) Regulations, 2022
22. Food Safety and Standards (Vegan Foods) Regulations, 2022