FSSAI

What is FSSAI ?

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India is functioning as an independent authority under the administrative control of Ministry of Health and family Welfare.

Before the formation of FSSAI, from 1954 onwards Prevention of Food Adulteration was part of Directorate General of Health Services. After having detached from the direct administrative control of the Health Ministry, this authority is holding independent authority and has attained special status.

Food related Acts, rules, controlling orders, licensing, registration, circular instructions, enforcements, exports and imports were dealt with by many sections and several departments previously . Now all of them have been brought under one umbrella, under one authority called – FSSAI

Objectives of FSSAI

• To create confidence among all stakeholders of being a friendly, accessible and responsive (public service) body.
• To ensure establishment of Standards and practices that fully assure consumers interest and adhere to the highest degree of integrity possible
• Building capacity of various stakeholders for effective participatory role in food safety.
• The development of effective information dissemination channels enabling consumers in making informed choices regarding the food they consume.
• Establish a framework of food safety with defined responsibility of each Food Business operator.

Functions of FSSAI

• Framing of Regulations to lay down the Standards and guidelines in relation to articles of food and specifying appropriate system of enforcing various standards thus notified.
• Laying down mechanisms and guidelines for accreditation of certification bodies engaged in certification of food safety management system for food businesses.
• Laying down procedure and guidelines for accreditation of laboratories and notification of the accredited laboratories.
• To provide scientific advice and technical support to Central Government and State Governments in the matters of framing the policy and rules in areas which have a direct or indirect bearing of food safety and nutrition.
• Collect and collate data regarding food consumption, incidence and prevalence of biological risk, contaminants in food, residues of various, contaminants in foods products, identification of emerging risks and introduction of rapid alert system.
• Creating an information network across the country so that the public, consumers, Panchayats etc receive rapid, reliable and objective information about food safety and issues of concern.
• Provide training programmes for persons who are involved or intend to get involved in food businesses.
• Contribute to the development of international technical standards for food, sanitary and phyto-sanitary standards.
• Promote general awareness about food safety and food standards.