?FSSAI aims to improve the quality of food sold through online channels

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) recently conducted its 45th Central Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting, placing a strong emphasis on reinforcing food safety measures at popular tourist destinations across the country. With the peak tourist season approaching between November and March, FSSAI has urged States and Union Territories (UTs) to enhance food surveillance and inspections in these high-traffic areas, ensuring that both domestic and international visitors are provided with safe food options.

One key recommendation was the introduction of "Food Safety on Wheels" mobile labs at tourist hotspots. These mobile units are designed to perform on-the-spot checks, ensuring that the food served at these destinations complies with safety guidelines. FSSAI CEO, G Kamala Vardhana Rao, also called on Food Safety Commissioners to intensify inspections at warehouses and facilities used by e-commerce platforms, particularly as demand for food deliveries increases during the tourism season. In addition, he recommended the establishment of clear Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for these facilities and delivery personnel to improve food handling safety.

Another significant discussion point was the training of Food Business Operators (FBOs) across the country. Under the Food Safety Training and Certification (FoSTaC) initiative, FSSAI has set an ambitious target to train 25 lakh food handlers by March 2026. The program aims to ensure food safety standards are maintained in various settings, including university and hostel canteens.

FSSAI also advocated for a more integrated approach to food safety, urging collaboration among different ministries and stakeholders to build a comprehensive food safety framework. As part of its “Eat Right India” movement, the committee recommended States and UTs to engage consumers in promoting healthier eating habits. Suggested initiatives to raise awareness included food fairs, walkathons, and Nukkad Nataks (street plays) that highlight safe food practices.

The meeting saw participation from over 60 officials, including State Food Safety Commissioners, senior FSSAI representatives, and various sector stakeholders. Their combined efforts are aimed at reinforcing food safety protocols, ensuring a safer and healthier experience for both tourists and residents.

FSSAI instructs ecommerce firms to refrain from labeling dairy, cereal, or malt-based beverages as 'health' or 'energy' drinks, citing lack of legal definition for 'health drink' and specific categorization of 'energy drink' under food laws.

FSSAI has cautioned all e-commerce Food Business Operators (FBOs) that the incorrect labeling could potentially mislead consumers.

Consequently, the authority has urged prompt rectification of this misclassification by either removing or unlinking such beverages from the 'Health Drinks / Energy Drinks' category, as stated in their official statement.

FSSAI has clarified that the term 'Health Drink' lacks a defined or standardized definition within the FSS Act 2006 or its accompanying rules and regulations that oversee the food industry.

The term 'Energy' Drinks is authorized solely for use on products like flavored drinks, whether carbonated or non-carbonated, based on water.
 

The FoSTaC program, a joint initiative by FSSAI and HRAWI, achieved a significant milestone with successful training sessions.

On September 25th, the program was conducted at Hotel Diplomat in Mumbai, followed by the session on September 26th at Usha Ascot in Matheran.

A total of 74 professionals from the hospitality sector participated in these programs, focusing on providing them with the necessary expertise and abilities to maintain safe and wholesome food practices.

At the Hotel Diplomat, the training session was officially opened by Mr. Vivekanand, the trainer, along with Mr. Gurbir Bedi, who is the owner of Hotel Diplomat and serves as the Joint Honorary Secretary of HRAWI.

At the second location, Mr. Vivekanand, the trainer, led the inauguration joined by Mr. Rahul Munot, the Resident Manager at Usha Ascot, and Mr. Sharma, the Manager at Byke Hotel.

“The significance of this training program cannot be overstated, especially in today’s world where consumers place a premium on health and food safety. The collaboration between FSSAI and HRAWI represents our joint commitment to promoting safe and healthy food practices within the hospitality industry. We are proud to have successfully trained and certified close to three thousand hospitality professionals across India’s Western region. Our mission is to continually raise the bar in food safety, ensuring that our patrons enjoy safe and delightful dining experiences,” said, Mr Pradeep Shetty, President, HRAWI.

The FoSTaC training program underscores the industry's dedication to catering to the needs of health-conscious consumers who prioritize food safety. It encompasses a broad spectrum of crucial subjects, such as food handling, preparation, hygiene, sanitation, and waste management.

Participants fully engage with these vital areas, developing a profound comprehension of food safety protocols and acquiring the competencies necessary for their successful integration into their daily operational routines.

“The FoSTaC programme plays a pivotal role in this by equipping professionals with the knowledge and expertise to maintain high food safety standards. HRAWI and FSSAI remain dedicated to this collaborative mission of promoting safe and healthy food practices in the hospitality industry. With each successful training session, we take a step closer to ensuring that every dining experience is not just delightful but also safe,” said, Mr Nirav Gandhi, Sr. Vice President & Chairman, FSSAI matters, HRAWI.

HRAWI has effectively provided training and certification to a total of 2760 professionals through FSSAI's FoSTaC Training Program.

The proposal by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to introduce health star ratings on the front of food packaging has faced opposition due to a lack of agreement among food companies, health organizations, consumer advocates, and the regulatory body.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) officials believe that health star ratings will not effectively reduce the consumption of unhealthy foods, and instead advocate for direct warning labels.

In contrast, packaged food companies prefer the use of star ratings. Currently, Indian food companies are only required to display basic nutrient information on the back of the packaging, while front-pack labeling has been proven effective in reducing the consumption of unhealthy foods globally.

Last year in September, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which operates under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, published a draft regulation that proposed a labelling system based on star ratings. This was the largest labelling reform for packaged foods in India.

The FSSAI had requested feedback on the proposed star rating-based labelling system until November, and it was expected that the final guidelines would be released within two months after the comment period ended.

“The health star ratings misinform consumers and do not compel industry to make their food products healthier whereas a warning label provides instant recognition of unhealthy foods.” said Ashim Sanyal, chief executive of activist body Consumer Voice and former member of the Central Advisory Committee of FSSAI.

The star rating system is a type of symbol-based labelling that does not provide upfront information on the exact amount of salt, sugar, or fat content in written text.

The rating is determined based on the levels of healthy and unhealthy nutrients present, while direct warning labels will only indicate excessive levels of salt, sugar, or fats.

On Monday, the Centre named Ganji Kamala Vardhana Rao as the new CEO of the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) with the rank and salary of Secretary to the Government of India, more than three months after Arun Singhal left his position as Union Secretary, Ministry of Fertilizers.

Prior to this, Rao held the dual position of DG, Tourism and MD of India Tourism Development Corporation Ltd (ITDC). The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare oversees the FSSAI.

The food products to be called vegan, shall not have involved animal testing for any purpose, including safety evaluation, unless provided by any regulatory authority, says FSSAI notification

Seeking to put in place a strict regulatory framework for vegan foods in the country, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has made it compulsory for manufacturers of such products to display the logo specified by the authority for easier recognition as well as ensure traceability of the products up to the level of manufacturers.

Besides, sellers of vegan foods should either exclusively or as part of retail merchandise store and display the products in a manner distinguishable from non-vegan foods.

The regulator has also mandated that no vegan food products should be imported except with a certificate issued by the recognised authorities of the exporting countries concerned.

After coming out with the draft regulations for public comments in September 2021, the FSSAI issued the Food Safety and Standards (Vegan Foods) Regulations, 2022 earlier this month.

According to the watchdog, vegan food means the food or food ingredient, including additives, flavourings, enzymes and carriers, or processing aids that are not products of animal origin and in which, at no stage of production and processing, ingredients that are of animal origin have been used.

The FSSAI has said that no person can manufacture, pack, sell, offer for sale, market or otherwise distribute or import any food as vegan food unless they comply with the requirements laid down under the regulations.

"The food products to be called vegan, shall not have involved animal testing for any purpose, including safety evaluation, unless provided by any regulatory authority," as per the regulations notified on June 10.

Every packaging material used for vegan foods should comply with the provisions of the packaging regulations. The seller of vegan food, either exclusively or as part of retail merchandise, should store and display such food in a manner distinguishable from non-vegan food. Every package of vegan foods, after the approval, should carry the logo specified by the FSSAI.

In a recent order passed, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has directed food aggregators Swiggy and Zomato have to list the nutritional values and allergens of all food items to be sold from their platforms.

Starting July 1, FSSAI has also asked these aggregators to ensure that their business partners that run over 10 food outlets and have annual revenue of more than INR 20 Cr have applied for a central (food) license.

Further the guidelines asked food aggregators to do the menu labeling for the food they sell online. Besides, they will also have to direct food establishments (restaurant operators) to show nutritional value such as calorie intake and allergen information on the food items that are listed on their platforms.

“The aim is to inform people about what kind of food they are ordering online and the kind of nutritional and allergen content (present in the food),” added Arun Singhal, CEO, FSSAI.

At present, packaged food have labels that display nutritional information of the items. On the other hand, cooked food does not have such information. By enabling menu labeling on cooked food items, consumers will be able to make healthier choices, it added.

To enable menu labeling, FSSAI has ordered Swiggy and Zomato to upgrade their platforms so that food business operators can add information regarding the nutritional value of food that they sell.

FSSAI has also asked all regional directors to ensure that ecommerce food business aggregators (foodtech giants and food delivery platforms) are complying with the new regulations. In case, any ecommerce food business aggregators failing to adhere to the new norms, then an improvement notice will be issued to them. Despite this, if they fail to comply then their license will be cancelled.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Maharashtra has issued an order on Wednesday asking food vendors not to wrap any eatables in newspapers while selling them to customers as the ink used for printing is harmful.

“In 2016, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had issued pan-India advisory, banning newspapers to be used for wrapping food items,” shared Shivaji Desai, Joint Commissioner, FDA by adding that they received complaints that the use of newspapers by vendors is still on. Therefore, in order to create awareness, the FDA has issued this order.

Directing the vendors to stop giving food items like 'vada pav', 'poha', sweets, and others wrapped in newspapers to customers, the FDA also warned of a strict action if the practice is not stopped.

"While giving a food parcel, the vendors often wrap the items in a newspaper. Since the ink used for printing the newspapers is made up of chemicals, offering hot food items like vada pav, pohe, fritters, bhel, bakery products and several other such food items, wrapped in newspapers can be dangerous," shared FDA in the statement.

"The vendors should stop wrapping the eatable in newspapers immediately or else strict action will be taken," it added.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has signed an MoU with food processing ministry to support micro-level food entrepreneurs and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs).

The MoU, signed on 2^nd October, also aims to support Self Help Groups (SHGs) and producers’ cooperatives to improve the standard of their food businesses.

Also Read: FSSAI ने सूक्ष्म स्तर के फूड उद्यमियों की मदद के लिए फूड प्रोसेसिंग मंत्रालय से किया करार

"As part of Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan, this step will help in making micro enterprises improve the quality of their food products and become competitive," shared the statement.

There will be two areas of collaboration between FSSAI and Ministry of Food Processing Industries; food safety training and registration of micro enterprises.

Food handlers of micro-level food processing units will be provided training on understanding of good hygiene, food testing process and other regulatory requirements.

On successful completion of training, the food handlers will be provided 'Food Safety Supervisor' certificate by FSSAI.

FSSAI and the ministry would provide support to micro enterprises towards obtaining FSSAI licence and registration.

Food safety and Standards Authority of India on Monday shared that there is a plan to introduce front-of-package (FoP) labeling on packaged foods to help consumer make healthier food choices.

Expressing concern over increasing consumption of junk food leading to obesity in youth and children in India, Arun Singhal, CEO, FSSAI said this.

The food safety body has also asked IIM Ahmedabad to conduct a survey on the nature of FoP labels in the interest of consumers, shared Singhal during 15th anniversary of formation of FSSAI.

Front of Package labels seek to provide simple nutrition information in a more accessible location instead on the back or side of packages.

Asserting that FSSAI is capable of introducing this kind of label in India, Singhal said it has become necessary as obesity along with malnutrition is also a big problem in the country especially in youth and children.

"There is a rise in demand for packaged food. There is a need to provide information in a simple way about the impact of packaged food on health so that consumers can make choices," he added.

He also pointed that countries that uses FoP labels saw reduction in consumption of junk food.

"The technical issues have been settled, but only one issue is left, that is, the nature of the FoP label. For this, IIM Ahmedabad has been asked to conduct a survey," added Singhal.

Food safety and standards authority of India has suspended the licences of 15 food business operators in Kerala.

These operators failed to comply with the requisite mandatory safety audits despite repeated reminders.

FSSAI has directed carrying out of audits of FBOs through private auditing agencies to strengthen the food safety surveillance system.

In a statement on Tuesday, the food safety body mentioned that even after repeated intimation and issuance of improvement notices twice, the 15 FBOs belonging to the Kerala region have not conducted any third-party food safety audits.

"Non-compliance of mandatory audits by above FBOs in high risk food business operations has been viewed seriously and their FSSAI licence has been suspended with effect from September 13 fore-noon by Central Designated Officer, Kerala & Lakshadweep in accordance with section 32 (2) of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 rules and regulations made thereunder," shared the statement.

These businesses are spread across Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Kannur, Malappuram, Wayanad and Palakkad.

These include Uday Samudra Leisure Beach Hotel & Spa, Thiruvananthapuram; Lite Bite Foods Pvt Ltd, Kannur; and Kovalam Resort Pvt Ltd, The Leela Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram. The Food Safety and Standards (Food Safety Auditing) Regulations, 2018, mandate annual third-party food safety audits of food businesses falling under six high risk categories by an FSSAI-recognised agency.

The Alliance for Sustainable and Holistic Agriculture (ASHA) - Kisan Swaraj has written to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to abort the plan to make synthetic/chemical fortification of foods mandatory in India.

Earlier, the food safety body had issued a draft regulation for mandatory fortification of edible oil and milk with Vitamin A and D. The FSSAI has also outlined its plan to make rice fortification mandatory from 2024 with Vitamin B12, Iron, and Folic Acid in India.

ASHA - Kisan Swaraj has sent a letter to FSSAI that carries the signatures of medical experts, nutritionists, agricultural scientists, farmers' organisations, academics, civil society organisations across the society to stop any such plan of food fortification.

The government has recently initiated a 3-year centrally sponsored pilot scheme on rice fortification and supply via PDS in 15 districts of the country. The ASHA - Kisan Swaraj claimed that the government has started to provide fortified rice through the mid-day meal scheme and ICDS programme citing widespread nutritional deficiencies since April.

Responding to a letter from civil society groups earlier, the FSSAI held food fortification just as complementary strategy to diverse diets.

"If FSSAI really saw fortification as a complementary strategy, then how it has become mandatory now while dietary diversity and other holistic approaches to malnutrition are optional," said the letter.

The activists claimed that FSSAI's intentions are questionable since it has cited industry-funded studies to justify fortification on a national scale, willfully ignoring conflict of interest since those very entities stand most to profit from such a policy.

"It is ridiculous that the government is promoting polished rice, which has lost a lot of its nutrition on one hand, and talks about chemical fortification on the other hand," said Dr. Debal Deb, ecologist and traditional rice conservator.

Adding one or two synthetic chemical vitamins and minerals will not solve the larger problem, instead, it can lead to the toxicity, including gut inflammation, highlights the letter.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India on Tuesday shared that it is exploring the possibility of using next generation technological tools like blockchain and machine learning to ensure food safety and quality.

“These regulatory inspections are essential for ensuring food safety and quality for people,” shared Arun Singhal, CEO, FSSAI during a virtual event organised by industry chamber CII.

Singhal urged the industry and researchers to come up with simple tools or interventions which regulators can use, reported PTI.

The food safety body is lo0oking for a technique to detect the ratio of materials in a blend, a tool to prevent food fraud, real-time safety monitoring through affordable and rapid testing, among others.

"FSSAI is exploring the possibilities of using technological tools like blockchain, machine learning, etc in obtaining traceability information. Next generation tools like genome sequencing and innovations in chemical and molecular analysis can be very useful in the area of food authenticity and integrity,” added Singhal.

Singhal is also of the opinion that Internet of Things (IoT) has taken a big leap forward and can be used for mounting production and processing operations.

With regard to recycled-PET and recycled plastics for food products, Singhal said FSSAI has promulgated regulations to allow alternate packaging materials.

"However, the authority is also aware of the limitations. These materials are not available in volumes that are desired by the industry," he said, and urged the industry, academia and research bodies to explore ways of making these materials available in sufficient volumes at reasonable prices.

For FSSAI, Singhal said the major thrust areas are simplification of the regulatory regime, IT platforms, and registering as many food businesses as possible.

Food safety and Standards Authority of India has mandated food business operators to mention FSSAI licence or registration number on cash receipts or purchase invoice with effect from October 1 2021.

Since complaints remain unresolved due to lack of specific information, this move will help consumers who can lodge an online complaint against a particular food business using the FSSAI number, added the regulator in the statement.

"Licensing and registration authorities are directed to widely publicise the policy and shall ensure its implementation mandatorily with effect from October 2, 2021," added the order.

Mentioning of FSSAI number shall also improve the overall awareness, it said if not mentioned, it will indicate non-compliance or non registration/licensing by the food business.

Stating that the food business ecosystem is large, the regulator said 14-digit FSSAI number of any food business operator is not "easily visible and available on consumer/service recipient."

If the FSSAI number is not available to consumers, expecting him to complain with complete coordinates is an uphill task. Even regulators find it difficult to trace the origin of complaint and attend to it promptly, it said. No database can be created without a unique locator code, which in case of food safety is the FSSAI number, it added.

Presently, FSSAI number is compulsory to be displayed on packaged food labels but the issue lies especially in case of establishments such as restaurants, mithai shops, caterers, even retail stores.

Further, food safety body also mentioned that it is amending the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses Regulations to mandate display of 'food safety display boards' at all times at prominent places in case of restaurants.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India on Tuesday said it has written to states to ensure there is no disruption in food supply chain amid curfews and semi-lockdown in many parts of the country.

FSSAI also clarified that food testing and import clearance of food items are an essential service.

Routine inspections are not required except in high risk products like milk and meat.

To facilitate the continuity of food business operations during the prevailing COVID-19 outbreak, FSSAI said it has taken immediate steps to ensure un-interrupted food services/ supply.

"FSSAI has written to all states to ensure no disruption of food supply chains and that regulatory compliance requirements are not an impediment for operation of any food business," shared the release.

It has also issued direction to allow FBOs (food business operators), other than manufacturers, to temporarily operate their businesses on the basis of a valid receipt of FSSAI licence/ registration application.

This will enable quick expansion of logistic supply chains, warehouses, retail outlets, catering and food service establishments, wherever required, it said.

New businesses can start operating once they successfully file a complete application.

This is an interim relief measure, the licence/ registration will need to be secured before the expiry of the relaxation.

Manufacturers are allowed to increase their capacity, on the basis of a valid receipt of FSSAI licence/ registration application.

"No routine inspections are required to be done, except in case of high-risk food product viz. milk and milk products, slaughter houses, meat and meat products, etc," added the statement.

However, food safety authorities can conduct inspections in case of select cases on basis of risk profiling or in case of any food emergency/ incidents and complaints.

Wherever feasible, inspections can be done by e-inspection.

The deadline for returns for 2020-21 has been extended till June 2021. No penalty shall be payable for late filing of application for renewal of licences.

"These measures are until and shall cease with effect from June 30, irrespective of the status of lockdown, curfew or containment at any location," added FSSAI.

E-commerce marketplace Snapdeal has announced its participation in the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare’s ‘Eat Right India’ Movement being led by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

Starting Monday, Snapdeal orders that are daily shipped to reach 92% of India’s total towns and cities, will have prominently placed customized information stickers about fortified products. 

The stickers will drive awareness about the  “+F” mark that identifies fortified foods and will educate consumers about the importance of fortified foods in fighting malnutrition. Snapdeal will also use its digital channels to disseminate information about the benefits of fortified foods in daily diets and how consumers can identify such products with the +F mark while buying online or offline. 

Applauding the efforts of Snapdeal, Shri Arun Singhal, CEO FSSAI, highlighted that such mechanisms are certainly a great vehicle in taking key messaging to the grass-roots level for the benefit of our society at large. He encouraged other similar business models to come forward and disseminate the right messaging on safe, healthy and sustainable eating practices through their vast delivery network. 

In addition to this, the company will also work closely with its sellers, delivery partners and third-party workers to deliver the message to a larger audience.

“Our support for the Eat Right Movement is an extension of our spirit to serve Bharat. We are proud to galvanize forces with Food Fortification Resource Centre (FFRC) and scale up communication in a short span of time, covering millions of people and impacting community behavior positively,’ added Rajnish Wahi, Senior VP, Snapdeal.

Talking about the future strategy for scaling-up food fortification, Shri Singhal further added “FSSAI has already issued a draft notification for mandatory fortification of edible oil and milk. In the near future, our people will be able to get recommended doses of micro-nutrients through availability of fortified edible oil and packaged toned, double toned, skimmed milk or standardized milk fortified with essential vitamins like A and D. He urged people to start recognizing the +F mark on 5 key staples.”

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India on Tuesday asked state food commissioners to conduct effective enforcement drive to check adulteration in spices.

In a letter to Commissioner of Food Safety of all States/UTs, FSSAI mentioned that there have been media reports about sale of adulterated spices in the domestic market.

Also Read: Restaurant Owners welcome FSSAI move on registration for home-cooked meals

"Instances have been reported recently in media regarding the sale of adulterated spices in domestic market. As per one such report, spices like dhaniya powder is being adulterated with bajra and dhaniya stem whereas turmeric powder is being adulterated with broken rice which is mixed with yellow colour," said the FSSAI letter.

The food safety body has also asked state food commissioners to conduct an effective enforcement drive to check the adulteration of commonly used spices like haldi, dhaniya, lal mirch powder etc in wholesale markets/mandis under their jurisdictions.

May Interest: ‘Best Before Date’ on open sweets mandatory from Oct1, FSSAI

"Further, the necessary action as deemed fit may be initiated against the defaulting Food Business Operators as per the provision laid down under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, Rules and Regulations 2011 made thereunder," it added

The Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) on Saturday welcomed FSSAI move of mandatory registration for home-cooked food sellers.

The association shared that food operators, whether operating from home or from dark kitchens, should be regulated for cleanliness and hygiene.

It also pointed out that unregistered, unregulated food business operators (FBOs) may not be maintaining hygiene standards, which is detrimental to the interest of consumers and poses health risks.

Also Read: FSSAI’s food safety compliance online platform to become operational countrywide from 1st Nov

"FSSAI has responded to our plea and is taking to task any such unregulated and illegal dark kitchens. Quite a few of these are actually funded and run by the Food Service Aggregators (FSAs) to escape responsibilities attached to operating restaurants legally and of course, also taxes. This causes a huge loss to the state and the exchequer. Not to mention the questionable hygiene standards, because there is no one to monitor and they are not registered under FSSAI," said Gurbaxish Singh Kohli, Vice President, FHRAI.

The FHRAI has also emphasized on the need for creating a level playing field for all players in the hospitality enterprise.

It has said that several dark kitchens are operating without any conformation to standard hospitality or kitchen hygiene practices. With no such regulations or checks, they may be putting the health and lives of consumers at risk.

May Interest: FSSAI may issue order to reduce trans-fat in food items by 2022

"Restaurants and hotels are subjected to rigors of State and Central laws for operating food businesses, but these illegal dark kitchens operate without any license. They have no need or requirement for adhering to any norms especially, hygiene and cleanliness related which all registered restaurants and hotels follow. This is unfair, unjust and most importantly it disadvantages ethical businesses despite doing the right thing," added Pradeep Shetty, VP, Hotel and Restaurant Association (Western India) (HRAWI).

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has made it mandatory from October 1 to write 'Best before date' on sweets plates in shops for the open sale of sweets.

However, there will be no restriction on the date for making sweets.

The FSSAI has stated in the order that it would be optional to write the date of making.

Federation of Sweets and Namkeen Manufactures (FSNM) director Feroze Naqvi said that this has brought great relief to the confectioners, but will also face difficulties in writing 'Best before date' as it is not practical.

“FSSAI has accepted half of our point that it is no longer mandatory for us to write a manufacturing date. However, the best before date will be effective from October 1. However, we are also in talks on this. We have put our problems in front of the FSSAI,” added Naqvi on a call to IANS.

He mentioned that printing the best before date for sweets is not practical as there is a large range of sweets on which it would be difficult to change the date repeatedly.

He said that the order regarding the open sale of sweets came in February, which was extended twice in the coronavirus period, but now from October 1, it has been made mandatory to write the best before date on sweets packs.

Naqvi also pointed that this order will be applicable for unpacked sweets whereas for food items like packaged sweets, namkeen, it is mandatory to write the period of manufacture and the date till it is best for the consumption.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India is planning to come out with a regulation to reduce trans-fat content in food products having fats or oils to 2 per cent by 2022.

 It currently allows trans-fat content in fats and oils to 5 per cent. The notification to further reduce to 3 per cent by 2021 and 2 per cent by 2022 is still in the process.

Also Read: Arun Singhal appointed as CEO FSSAI

"Food safety is one aspect, but eating healthy and sustainable food is a priority. We are coming out with regulations to decrease trans-fat in foods and oils to 2 per cent by 2022," said Arun Singhal, CEO, FSSAI.

The food safety executive shared this in a virtual event organised by industry body Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on the 4th anniversary of the CII-HUL Initiative on Food Safety Sciences (CHIFSS).

Asserting that trans-fat is a "serious issue", Singhal added that the industry should come forward for collaboration with the FSSAI to find ways to bring down the trans-fat content in foods and oils.

Currently, bakeries, sweet shops and other food business operators can voluntarily display 'trans-fat-free' logos on food products and in their outlets.

Must Read: FSSAI issues guidelines for FBOs, Focus on Hygiene, Safety and Contactless delivery

Speaking on the occasion, FSSAI Chairperson Rita Teaotia lauded food businesses for being responsive in these times of extraordinary public health emergency due to COVID-19.

"In many developed countries, every aspect of production, processing, distribution and retailing, street vending and consumption of food systems can be and is comprehensively regulated. Therefore, designing a food safety out there is simpler, and all the stakeholders find it feasible to implement. In a nation like ours, where size, volumes and diversity of stakeholders are enormous, we need to contextualize the food safety risk management design," added the Chairperson.

Arun Singhal on Friday was appointment as the CEO of Food safety and standards authority of India after the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet on Friday approved his appointment.

Singhal was special secretary, department of health and family welfare before joining FSSAI.

He will succeed GSG Ayyangar who was given the charge of the CEO of the food regulator when its full time CEO Pawan Agarwal was moved to the consumer affairs ministry.

Pawan Agarwal, who was recently appointed as special secretary logistics, after a brief stint as consumers affairs secretary, moved out of the role earlier this year.

FSSAI that comes under the purview of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, is responsible for setting up standards for the food industry and regulate the manufacturing, storage, distribution, sale, and import of foods.

Meanwhile, as part of efforts to ensure ease of doing business for food companies, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is all set to launch its upgraded cloud-based online compliance platform. The food safety regulator aims to make Food Safety and Compliance System (FoSCoS) as the one-stop point for all its regulatory and compliance engagements with Food Business Operators (FBOs).

While initially the new integrated platform, will enable licensing, registration and filing of annual returns, FSSAI will eventually add a host of other regulatory and compliance functions to the platform. It will also replace the existing Food Licensing and Registration System (FLRS).

“A single regulatory platform will act as pan-India integrated response system to any food fraud and ensure an advanced risk-based, data driven regulatory approach,” FSSAI said in a notice to food business operators.

From June onwards local sweet shops will also have to display the 'best before date' and 'date of manufacturing' on non-packaged or loose sweets kept in a container or tray for sale at their outlets.

At present, the rule was mandatory to mention these details on labels of pre-packaged/pre-packed sweets but starting June this will be effective on loose sweets also.

"In public interest and to ensure food safety, it has been decided that in case of non-packaged/loose sweets, the container/tray holding sweets at the outlet for sale should display the 'date of manufacturing' and 'best before date' of the product," read the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India order.

FSSAI has issued a direction in this regard after reports of instances of sale of stale/expired sweets to consumers posing potential health hazards.

This will be effective from June 1,2020, it added.

The food safety regulator also mentioned that the food business operators (FBOs) should decide and display the 'best before date' of sweets depending upon the nature of the product and local conditions.

Food safety commissioners of states have been asked to ensure compliance to these directions, the order added.

Restaurants and hotels will soon have to display hygiene ratings on their doors. The food regulator is set to make such ratings mandatory for all restaurants.

The regulator has also asked restaurants to have a presence of a food supervisor to monitor compliance of food regulation and ensure safety of food served.

“The idea is to raise the standards of dining out, ensuring the food served is safe and of good quality,” shared Pawan Agarwal, CEO, FSSAI by adding that The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has already started a pilot for rating among online players. It has also trained over 1.7 lakh food supervisors to ensure compliance.

FSSAI is also in the process of forming guidelines to implement the rating system. Once, it is in place, the regulator will keep a check for compliance and will also serve notice in case restaurants are found violating the norms.

The move is part of a series of regulatory measures taken by FSSAI to support its 'Eat Right India' campaign focused at preventive healthcare measure to trigger social and behavioural change through a judicious mix of regulatory measures, combined with soft interventions for ensuring awareness and capacity building of food businesses.

"India is passing through an epidemiological shift from communicable to non-communicable diseases, and the burden of diet-related diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity is rising rapidly. The new 'food systems approach' judiciously combines the regulatory and capacity building measures with consumer empowerment initiatives," said Harsh Vardhan, Health Minister, Govt of India.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a gazette draft notification to amend the existing standards of synthetic syrup and sharbat, stating that it would bring more clarity among the two products. 

Under the new standards, sharbat shall contain a minimum of 25% of juice or an extract of fruit, vegetable, nut, herb, flower, spice, alone or in combination. It is 10% under the present standards. These standards also offered an opportunity to formulate the synthetic syrup with low total soluble solids (TSS) up to 30% vis-a-vis the current level of 65%.

FSSAI’s statement stated, “The word sharbat and synthetic syrup mentioned under Regulation 2.3.21 of the Food Safety and Standards Regulations, 2011, relating to standards for squashes, crushes, fruit syrups/fruit sharbats and barley water would mislead the consumer, and hence, the same has been removed from the said regulation.”

“Several comments were received from the stakeholders on the proposed draft at the pre-draft stage, but at that time, the file had already been referred to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for approval. These comments would be considered at the time of post-draft consultation for the finalisation of the said draft notification,” it added.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has notified the new regulations for alcoholic beverages. The new regulation states that alcoholic beverage makers will seek approvals from excise commissioners for adopting new labelling norms, including statutory warnings on liquor bottles.

The new set of labelling norms will be fully in place in six months.

Last year, the food regulator had issued a regulation on alcoholic beverages and the same became effective from April 1. According to this regulation, all liquor bottles need to carry a statutory warning that "consumption of alcohol is injurious to health. Be safe-don’t drink and drive".

Pawan Agarwal, CEO of FSSAI, said, "I think for alcoholic beverages sector, the implementation of these standards is a significant way forward in order to improve the quality and standards of alcoholic beverages available in the country."

"So far, it was primarily regulated by excise commissioners and they were only looking at alcoholic content and the toxic substances in alcohol. Now, there are far more elaborate standards that are benchmarked with the global standards and in certain cases, they have taken the Indian context also in consideration," he further stated.

The Food Safety & Standards Authority of India has allowed craft breweries to continue making beer with higher yeast content.

The result has come as a huge relief for the microbreweries in the country.

FSSAI shared that regular beer or lager should be free of yeast while draught beer should have yeast content of at most 40 CFU (colony-forming units).

The notification had not put craft beer into a separate category, which had put the breweries in a tizzy as many craft beers have yeast content as high as 3 million CFU. "The Food Safety & Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) Regulations, 2018 will be implemented in effect from 1st April 2019, except the parameter for yeast in various categories of beer," said FSSAI in a notification on Friday.

The Craft Brewers Association of India (CBAI) had made a representation earlier this month that it was difficult to operate under the limits ordered by the regulator and wanted a clarification whether yeast was being classified as a contaminant or a raw material, one that is a basic ingredient in beer.

As part of the notification, the FSSAI also clarified that it will provide drinks makers another six months for use of old unused labels and printed cans. Following a directive last year, all liquor bottles were supposed to carry cautionary messages of "Drinking is injurious to health" and "Don't Drink and Drive" on their labels from April 1. "Alcoholic beverages manufactured prior to 1st April 2019 can be sold in the market up to 31st March 2020," FSSAI said.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) may permit craft breweries to make beer with higher yeast content than its newly prescribed norms, which come into effect from April 1.

Earlier this week, the scientific panel of the regulator had a meeting with Craft Brewers Association of India (CBAI). In this meeting, CBAI presented its views on the yeast count, saying it was difficult to operate under the limits ordered by the regulator and the new standards do not improve food safety for the consumer. FSSAI is concerned that the yeast count above the prescribed limit may make the beer unsafe.

In a gazette notification in 2018, FSSAI had said that regular beer or lager should be free of yeast while draught beer should have yeast content of at most 40 CFU (colony-forming units).

The meeting between the panel and CBAI had no outcome immediately, but the panel is expected to present its views soon.

Pawan Agarwal, Chief Executive Officer of FSSAI, said, "We will wait for the panel to make recommendations and till the time they do, craft brewers can continue producing a beer like they have been doing."

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, has announced its intent to open a Global Customer Solution Center in partnership with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in Ghaziabad, India.

The collaboration was confirmed during the Association of Analytical Communities (AOAC) - India chapter conference between Thermo Fisher Scientific and FSSAI.

“Today’s announcement is a testament to our commitment in bringing world class food testing technologies to India. It helps us realize our mission of enabling our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer,” said Amit Chopra, managing director, India and Middle East, Thermo Fisher.

The gathering had more than 300 dignitaries including international visitors, government officials, industry leaders and scientists from food research institutes. The new Food Safety Customer Solution Center will focus on meeting and exceeding the demands of scientists in food and beverage laboratories by developing critical workflows and integrated solutions that help build food safety capacity in India.

With the food and beverage industry committed to making what we consume healthier and safer, the Thermo Fisher Customer Solution Center will serve as a regional hub for scientists, partners and the FSSAI to collaborate with subject matter experts.

“The FSSAI establishes science-based standards for articles of food and regulates their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale, and import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food to the country's 1.3 billion citizens," said Pawan Agarwal, chief executive officer, FSSAI. "The collaboration between the FSSAI and Thermo Fisher at the Food Safety Customer Solution Center in Ghaziabad will help us build new workflows for food safety testing, train our food centers of excellence, and help build capacity and expertise in the region," said Bhaskar Narayan, Ph.D., advisor of quality assurance, FSSAI.

Today’s opening marks the continuation of Thermo Fisher’s global strategic initiative that includes Customer Solution Centers in China, and others planned for the U.S. and Europe, all of which are scheduled to be opened by mid-2019. Each site will:

• Embrace the opportunity to collaborate with customers and partners in the development of next-generation workflow solutions in chromatography and mass spectrometry
• Provide complete workflows to enable scientists to reach new levels of productivity
• Create a Center of expertise to spread analytical knowledge within the local community, and provide access to collaborative solutions to overcome unique and emerging analytical challenges

The 6th AOAC-India’s annual Conference Towards Collaborative Leadership to Ensure Food Safety has been commenced at the Park Hotel in New Delhi. As a prominent food safety conference, it brought together nearly 300 analytical professionals, including top government food safety regulators, eminent scientists, academicians, industry partners, laboratory owners, researchers and students. This two-day event will provide a unique opportunity to assess the emerging trends in the field and discuss strategies to overcome various problems for building our planet a safer place to live.

Pawan Kumar Agarwal, CEO, FSSAI, highlighted the non-profit partnership between FSSAI and AOAC-India and mentioned how government regulators and the private sector can join hand in hand for building a robust analytical ecosystem in the country.

Dr. Ranjan Mitra, President, AOAC-India, stated, "We’re very pleased to have held our Section’s 6th annual conference. We trust that it will offer an immense chance to debate on what it means to develop new food testing methodologies and how it relates to the future of food safety."

The conference comprised keynote lectures, plenary presentations, poster sessions and interactive group discussions, creating a platform for information exchange and knowledge transfer. The eminent speakers (from India, USA, UK and Europe) covered various facets of food analysis, global food safety issues, quality control regulations, food authenticity and capacity building for the running of effective global food systems within the nation. 

Over 50 leading organisations from 6 different countries participated to converse on how to solve complex analytical problems and develop compliant solutions to ensure human health.

Restaurant reservation and delivery platform Zomato was given a notice from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Wednesday, and asked to get a food safety licence for their operations in Dehradun.

Officials from nagar nigam inspected the Zomato state head office situated at Cantt Road and issued a notice on behalf of the food safety department to Zomato for not having food licence/registration under section 31 of The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 which stipulates that “no person shall commence or carry on any food business except under a licence.”

According to media reports, Zomato authorities claimed that they do not prepare food themselves and are only engaged in supply, they were still issued a notice asking for procurement of food safety licence since “they are engaged in last-mile delivery and hence responsible for safety of food products.”

“The FSSAI has also sought the medical certificates of all the employees who work with food outlets associated with Zomato who are directly involved in food preparation and packaging,” said Ramesh Singh, food safety officer of the nagar nigam.

The Zomato authorities have been given seven days time to provide the details sought by FSSAI.

The action by the food safety authority comes after its chief executive had some time back announced some new guidelines under which even food delivery chains need to procure relevant licences.

Zomato, an online restaurant guide and food ordering firm, has delisted more than 5,000 restaurants in February for non-compliance with the hygiene standards set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). 

Gurugram-based food delivery major is conducting audits of all the restaurants listed on its platform with FSSAI across 150 cities in India. 

As per the company, "It has delisted over 5,000 restaurants found non-compliant with the standards set by the FSSAI for hygiene."

Mohit Gupta, CEO, Food Delivery Business, Zomato, said, "As a leading food delivery platform, we believe that it is our responsibility to actively work towards building a safe ecosystem for our users."

"We are adding 400 restaurants to our platform every day; so, it is crucial that our restaurant partners are compliant with regulations and hygiene standards. For this reason, we have been re-evaluating all the 80,000+ restaurants listed on Zomato, helping them be compliant, and delisting those that have failed to follow regulations in spite of continuous efforts. All our high order volume restaurant partners are already compliant; therefore, we are certain this move will not have an impact on our order volumes," he added.

In an effort towards ensuring better food for more people, Zomato touched a new milestone- 10,000 restaurants have Zomato’s Food Hygiene Rating, a figure that translates to over 80% of the volume for its online ordering business.

This comes after Zomato announced tamper-proof tapes and other precautionary measures in December last year to ensure extra layer of food safety when it comes to deliver the best to its users after a video went viral of one its delivery boy eating the food.

“We have been actively involved in adopting measures to ensure that quality food reaches our users without compromising on hygiene. The ratings are helping us enable an environment where food is prepared and served in the cleanest manner,” shared Deepinder Goyal, Founder and CEO, Zomato by adding that the company will continue to press hard on this initiative and gradually raise the bar for food hygiene in our country.

To help set and improve hygiene standards followed by restaurants, a couple of years ago, for the first time in the world for a food/restaurant aggregator, Zomato introduced hygiene audits/ratings on their platform in 2017.

The idea was to introduce the concept of standardized kitchen hygiene to the restaurant industry in India, and reward restaurant operators who care about the hygiene of their premises compared to those who don’t.

Zomato operates with accredited third-party auditors who are experts in the field of hygiene and conduct surprise physical food hygiene audits at participating restaurants. Such on the spot audits lay a major emphasis on whether the eatery covers various aspects of the food hygiene. Factors such as handling of food, separation of cooking spaces for vegetarian and non-vegetarian items, the basic cleanliness level, etc.  are taken into consideration before the ratings are allotted. 

आईटी मंत्रालय ने गूगल और फेसबुक से 'गलत और दुर्भावना पूर्ण' कंटेंट को हटाने के लिए कहा है। साथ ही इन दिग्गज कंपनियों से वो सभी कंटेंट हटाने की मांग की है जो भारत में खाने की क्वालिटी के बारे में गलत जानकारी फैला रहे हैं।

मंत्रालय ने इस बात का भी उल्लेख किया कि 'फर्जी' सूचना खाद्य सुरक्षा के साथ काम करने वाले संस्थानों में जनता के विश्वास को खत्म कर रही है।

इतना ही नहीं मंत्रालय ने इन सभी कंटेंट को तुरंत हटाने और उन लोगों का अकाउंट ब्लॉक करने को कहा जो ऐसी वीडियोज़ अपलोड करते हैं।

भारतीय खाद्य सुरक्षा और मानक प्राधिकरण (FSSAI) के सीईओ पवन अग्रवाल ने आईटी सेक्रेटरी अजय प्रकाश साहनी से इस बारे में शिकायत की थी जिसके बाद इस आदेश का पालन किया जा रहा है।

तकनीकी दिग्गजों को मेल किया गया है जिसमें लिखा है, 'हमारे संज्ञान में आया है कि कुछ गलत लोग भारत में उपलब्ध खाने की सुरक्षा और क्वालिटी के बारे में सोशल मीडिया प्लेटफॉर्म को गलत तरीके से इस्तेमाल करते हुए वहां नकली, आपत्तिजनक, गलत और दुर्भावना पूर्ण वीडियो अपलोड कर रहे हैं।'

अधिकारी ने कहा, 'इस तरह की फर्जी और दुर्भावना पूर्ण वीडियो भारत में उन संस्थानों के बारे में लोगों का विश्वास खत्म कर रही है जो पूरी लगन के साथ अपना काम कर रहे हैं।'

आईटी मंत्रालय ने कहा कि FSSAI ने ऐसे उदाहरणों को संज्ञान में लिया है जहां भोजन की क्वालिटी के बारे में गलत सूचना फैलाने के लिए इंटरनेट प्लेटफॉर्मों का इस्तेमाल किया गया था।

आईटी मंत्रालय का कहना है, 'प्लास्टिक के अंडे, प्लास्टिक के चावल, दूध में मेलामाइन जैसे कुछ उदाहरण हैं जो लोगों में झूठा डर पैदा कर रहे हैं। एक विशेष फर्जी वीडियो जो दूध में मेलामाइन की उपस्थिति से संबंधित थी, वह सोशल मीडिया पर वायरल हो गई। जिसमें दुर्भावना पूर्ण रूप से यह अनुमान लगाया गया था कि FSSAI ने दूध में मेलामाइन के इस्तेमाल की अनुमति दी थी।'

मंत्रालय ने ऐसे कंटेंट को अपलोड होने से रोकने के लिए इन कंपनियों को उनकी यथोचित लगन के हिस्से के रूप में एक प्रणाली गठित करने को भी कहा है।

पवन अग्रवाल ने कहा, 'ये हमारे फूड सिस्टम और फूड बिजनेस में वैश्विक विश्वास को भी खत्म कर रही है और संभावित रूप से दूरगामी सार्वजनिक स्वास्थ्य, सामाजिक और व्यापारिक अनुमान है। उन्होंने ये भी कहा कि कंपनी को एक नोडल अधिकारी नियुक्त करना चाहिए जिससे कि वे तुरंत ये मुद्दे ले सकें और इनका समाधान कर सकें।'

The IT Ministry has asked Google and Facebook to take down 'false and malicious' videos and other content that spreads misinformation regarding safety and quality of food in India.

The Ministry has also mentioned that the 'fake' information is eroding the public's confidence in institutions tasked with food safety.

It has also asked the companies to immediately remove such content and block the accounts of people who are uploading the videos.

The order follows a complaint by Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) CEO Pawan Agarwal to IT Secretary Ajay Prakash Sawhney.

"It has come to our notice that some miscreants are misusing various social-media platforms for circulating fake and objectionable material, including false and malicious videos regarding safety and quality of food available in India," read the mail written to tech giants.

"Such fake and malicious videos erode the public's confidence about the institutions in India which are performing their job with due diligence," the official added.

The IT Ministry said that the FSSAI has pointed out instances where the internet platforms had been used to spread misinformation about food quality.

"Specific instances like creating false scare of plastic eggs, plastic rice, melamine in milk. One specific fake video which went viral on social media related to the presence of melamine in milk, wherein it was maliciously projected that FSSAI had given permission for use of melamine in the milk," the IT Ministry note said.

The Ministry also told the companies to institute a system as part of their due diligence for prevention of uploading such contents.

 “This also erodes global trust in our food system and food businesses, and potentially has far-reaching public health, social and trade implications," shared Pawan Agarwal, CEO, FSSAI adding that the companies should appoint a nodal officer so that it can directly take up such issues with them for quick remedial action.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India on Thursday said that food businesses need to comply with new packaging regulations that bar use of recycled plastics and newspapers to wrap food articles by July 1.

The new regulations prohibit packaging material made of recycled plastics including carry bags for packaging, storing, carrying or dispensing articles of food.

Taking cognizance of the carcinogenic effect of inks and dyes, the norms also prohibit the use of newspaper and such other materials for packing or wrapping of food articles and includes respective Indian standard for printing inks for use on food packages.

"The new packaging regulations would raise the bar of food safety in India to the next level," shared Pawan Agarwal, CEO, FSSAI.

FSSAI also mentioned that there would be difficulties in implementation of these regulations by the unorganised sector and hence sufficient time has been given before the regulations come into force.

"The food businesses shall have to comply with these regulations by 1st July, 2019,” said Agarwal adding that stakeholder's consultation and mass awareness building amongst consumers and food businesses would precede implementation of the new packaging regulations.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is planning to focus on enforcing the regulations without impacting businesses.

During 2018, FSSAI accelerated the process of setting standards and notified 27 new regulations for food standards, shared Pawan Agarwal, CEO, FSSAI.

Some of the key regulations include the ones on alcoholic beverages, food fortification, advertising and claims, packaging, residues of pesticides, tolerance limits of antibiotics and pharmacologically active substances. "We are setting standards to ensure safe food to consumers and at the same time see to that they do no impact the businesses. Now that the standards (on food products) are more or less in place, our focus is going to be on compliance, monitoring, inspection and enforcement," added Agarwal.

A Parliamentary Standing Committee on health and family welfare in a report submitted in 2018 had rapped FSSAI over weak enforcement of food safety laws and also recommended restructuring of the autonomous body that functions under the health ministry.

Asserting that the big focus will be on enforcement, Agarwal said while some of the standards are made effective from January 1, the implementation time for other products has been extended by three or six months depending on the cases.

The new standards effective from January 1 are for all varieties of pulses, whole and decorticated pearl millet grains, de-germed maize flour and maize grit, textured soy protein, sago flour, bee wax and royal jelly.

Microbiological standards for fruits and vegetables and their products, all provisions of organic food regulations and standard for honey, except few parameters where test methods are being validated are made effective from Tuesday.

According to FSSAI, three-month extension has been given to businesses to comply with the tolerance limit of antibiotics and pharmacology active substances.

Similarly, standards for alcoholic beverages will come into force from April 1, 2019 to coincide with financial year requirements of excise laws.  Food fortification norms will come into force from June 1, compliance of labelling requirement for frozen dessert would be applicable from July 1, FSSAI said.

The regulations on advertising and claims, packaging and labelling requirements of blended edible vegetable oils will come into force from July 1, this year.

फूड सेफ्टी एंड स्टैंडर्ड्स ऑफ अथॉरिटी (FSSAI) जल्द ही खाद्य पदार्थों के लिए नई पैकेजिंग लेकर आएगा। ये निर्णय रंगीन और काले बैग जैसी ढीली पैकेजिंग, एल्यूमिनियम कोटिंग के साथ डिस्पोजेबल कंटेनर और मिठाई के डिब्बों में रखी चीजों को दूषित होते देख लिया गया है।

खाद्य नियामक ने फूड पैकेजिंग पर एक नेशनल सर्वे किया जिसमें पता चला कि करीब 80 प्रतिशत खाना रंगीन कैरी बैग में, 59 प्रतिशत काले कैरी बैग में, 24 प्रतिशत से ज्यादा एल्यूमिनियम कोटिंग के डिस्पोजेबल कंटेनर में और 21 प्रतिशत मिठाई के डिब्बों में पैक किया जाता है और इन सभी में कैमिकल पाए गए।

इस खतरे पर रोक लगाने के लिए FSSAI पैकेजिंग के नए तरीकों के लिए पूरी तरह से तैयार है। कहा जा रहा है कि ये रीसाइकिल्ड प्लासटिक से बने पैकेजिंग मैटेरियल पर रोक लगाएगा।

FSSAI के चीफ एक्जीक्यूटिव पवन अग्रवाल ने कहा, 'पैकेजिंग के नए तरीके भारत में खाने की सेफ्टी को एक अगले स्तर तक बढ़ा देंगे। असंगठित क्षेत्रों में इस नई पैकेजिंग को लाना थोड़ा मुश्किल हो सकता है इसलिए हमने इन नियमों को लागू करने से पहले पर्याप्त समय दिया है।'

अग्रवाल ने आगे कहा कि पैकेजिंग का मुख्य उद्देश्य खाने को माइक्रो-बायोलोजिकल, कैमिकल, फिजिकल औप दूषित वातावरण से बचाकर सुरक्षित रखना है। फू़ड बिजनेस को 1 जुलाई 2019 से नए नियमों का पालन करना होगा।

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) will soon come up with new regulation on food packaging. The decision was taken after observing that loose packaging like coloured and black carry bags, disposable containers with aluminium coating and sweet boxes have emerged as major contaminants of packaged food.

The food regulator has conducted a national survey of food packaging material which found out that around 80% of food samples packed in coloured carry bags, 59% in black carry bags, more than 24% in aluminium coated disposable containers and 21% in sweet boxes were chemically contaminated.

In a bid to curb this menace, FSSAI is set to notify new regulations for food packaging that will prohibit packaging material made of recycled plastics.

Pawan Agarwal, Chief Executive of FSSAI, said, "The new packaging regulation would raise the bar of food safety in India to the next level. The implementation of the rules may be a challenge in the unorganised sector and therefore, we have given sufficient lead time before the regulations come into force."

"The primary objective of packaging is to protect the food contents from microbiological, chemical, physical and atmospheric contamination and preserve the food. Food businesses shall have to comply with the new regulations by July 1, 2019," Agarwal added. 

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is looking at making amendments in the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011. The amendments will be made by the food regulator to introduce labelling of artificial sweetener on beverages sold through vending machines.

Presently, companies must declare the presence of artificial sweetener in every package of food on its labelling as well as in their advertisements.

The FSSAI is proposing that if a beverage product containing artificial sweetener is sold via vending machines, "a display or label" declaring the presence of artificial sweetener "shall be placed on the cups or in the container in which the product is served".

The food regulator has further proposed to make it mandatory for a prominent display or labelling on the vending machine. It is now seeking views from the industry and other stakeholders for the proposed changes.

In order to boost the Eat Right India movement, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has announced the 'Eat Right Awards' and Eat Right Creativity Challenge.

Eat Right Awards have been instituted to recognize the efforts of the food companies. Earlier this year, several food firms pledged to demonstrate their support and commitment to the movement by producing healthier food options, reformulating existing food products and providing better nutritional information to consumers.

Pawan Kumar Agarwal, Chief Executive Officer, FSSAI, said, "The Eat Right Awards would provide an impetus for food companies, especially food-related start-ups, and individuals to join the Eat Right India movement and promote safe and healthy eating options. All these activities, as a part of the Eat Right India movement, would help in engaging all sections of the society and create a momentum to ultimately change the way India eats."

The Eat Right Creativity Challenge, announced by FSSAI, includes an 'On-the-Spot Poster' and 'Wall-art' competition for school children as well as a competition for digital creatives for amateur and professional artists and students.