STREAMLINING FOOD REGULATIONS IN INDIA

Why in the News?

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) endorsed multiple amendments geared towards simplifying food safety regulations.

Amendments approved by FSSAI

• Elimination of multiple certifications: Food businesses would not have to go to different authorities for mandatory certification. 
  • Only FSSAI certification will be mandatorily required for food products.
  • Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) or AGMARK certification will not be required for food products.
    • Presently, Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restriction on Sale) Regulations 2011 have prescribed mandatory certification under BIS Act and AGMARK Scheme.
    • BIS certification is mandatory for some food products e.g infant formula, packaged drinking water, milk powder etc.
    • AGMARK is mandatory for blended edible vegetable oils and fat spreads. 

• First comprehensive manual of methods of analysis for ensuring regulatory compliance of food products.
• Expansion of Standards: Like standards of Mead (Honey wine) and Alcoholic Ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages, revision of standards of milk fat products, standards for Haleem etc. 

About Food safety regulations in India

• Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006: Overarching regulation on food safety establishing FSSAI as the primary food safety authority.
• Food Safety and Standards Regulations, 2011: Contains labelling requirements and standards for packaged food, permitted food additives, microbiological requirements etc.
• Various FSSAI Food Safety Standards: Developed by Scientific Committee and Scientific Panels, the principal arms of FSSAI in standard development process.