About Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI):
- It is an autonomous body established under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
- It has been established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which is a consolidating statute related to food safety and regulation in India.
- FSSAI is responsible for setting food standards, regulating the manufacture, storage, distribution, sale, and import of food, and ensuring the availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption.
- It lays down the science-based standards for food articles and regulates their manufacturing and distribution processes.
- Functions:
- Standards Development: FSSAI formulates standards for various food products, ensuring they are safe for consumption.
- Food Safety Management Systems: It provides guidelines for businesses to implement effective food safety management practices.
- Licensing and Registration: FSSAI manages the licensing process for food businesses, ensuring they comply with food safety regulations.
- Surveillance and Monitoring: Regular inspections and audits are conducted to assess compliance with food safety standards.
- Consumer Awareness: Initiatives to educate the public about food safety, hygiene, and nutrition are a key focus area.
- Anyone selling or importing food in India needs a food licence issued by FSSAI.
- FSSAI also directly monitors compliance of food regulations, especially in the area of food imports to India.
- FSSAI officers carry out food import controls and ensure that they contain no harmful ingredients. To do this, they send selected test products from the import to accredited laboratories for inspection.
- The FSSAI is also responsible for the accreditation of food testing laboratories throughout India.
- FSSAI has notified 14 referral labs, 72 State/UT labs across India, and 112 NABL approved commercial labs, all of which are situated throughout the country.
