In 2006 to regulate the food quality and standards in the food industry, the government came up with a law called the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. In this act, various regulations have been given which need to be followed by the food business owner. One of the essential regulations is to have an FSSAI License to run a food business in the Indian market. As food is directly related to the health of the consumer, checks and balances on the food industry are necessary. Out of various essential FSSAI regulations that are given under the Food Safety and Standards Regulation Act, will discuss the top 10 essential FSSAI regulations that every food business owner must know.
What is the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006?
Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 checks and balances the food industry in India. It has all the provisions to maintain food safety and standards in the Indian food market. It contains rules and regulations that every food business owner has to follow before or after they start a food business in India. This law looks after each and everything regarding food safety and standards in the Indian market.
What is the Food Safety and Standards Authority?
Every rule and regulation regarding food businesses has been given under the Food Safety and Standards Regulation Act, of 2006. Under the same act’s Section 4, the Food Safety and Standards Authority is established. It is a body that ensures these rules and regulations must be implemented properly in the food market. Without the establishment of this authority, it is not possible to make the food industry adulteration-free. This authority has many powers like granting licenses, canceling licenses, renewal of licenses, inspection documents, verification of food businesses, etc.
10 Essential FSSAI Regulations for Food Business Owners
In the act of 2006, that is Food Safety and Standards Act, many essential for food regulation has been given. Out of which 10 essential FSSAI regulations will be discussed today in the current blog. These regulations are very common which every food business owner must know. So that one can run a food business in a good manner and can easily comply with the Food Safety standards given under the Food Safety and Standards Act, of 2006. Given below are the 10 essential FSSAI regulations that every food business owner must know:
Use of Additive or Processing Aid
Out of the 10 essential FSSAI regulations, “use of additive or processing aid” is the first one. It is very important to ensure that in any kind of food, there will be no use of additives or processing aids. A processing aid is a substance or material, excluding equipment or tools, that is employed during the treatment or processing of raw materials, foods, or their components to achieve a specific technological objective. Its use may lead to the inadvertent, yet unavoidable presence of remnants or by-products in the finished product, and it is not intended to be consumed as a standalone food ingredient.
Contamination of Food
“Contamination of food” is the second essential food regulation out of the 10 essential FSSAI regulations. Under section 20 of the 2006 Act contamination of food has been given. According to this act, no article of food shall contain any contaminant, naturally occurring toxic substances, toxins, hormones, or heavy metals in excess of such quantities as may be specified by regulations. These probations are there for the safety and quality of the food products in the food industry.
Use of Pesticides and Drugs
“Use of Pesticides and Drugs” is another essential food regulation that is included in the 10 essential FSSAI regulations of the food industry. As per Section 21 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, no article of food shall contain insecticides or pesticide residues, veterinary drugs residues, antibiotic residues, solvent residues, or pharmacological active that is in excess of such tolerance limit which has been prescribed under the regulations. Also, no insecticide shall be used directly on articles of food except fumigants registered and approved under the Insecticides Act, 1968.
For the purposes of this section, pesticide residue means any specified substance in food resulting from the use of a pesticide and includes any derivatives of a pesticide and also includes such residues that are directly or indirectly coming into food from the environment. Also, residues of veterinary drugs include the parent compounds or their metabolites or both in any edible portion of any animal product and include residues of associated impurities of the veterinary drugs concerned.
Packaging and Labeling of Foods
Manufacturing, distribution, selling, or exposing for sale or dispatch or delivery to any agent or broker for the purpose of sale is not allowed if the packaged food products are not properly marked and labeled in the manner given in registered FSSAI under section 23 of the Food Safety and Standards Act. Every proprietor of a food establishment is responsible for ensuring that the labeling and visual presentation of food align with the arrangement and the context in which they are showcased. Moreover, any information provided to consumers, regardless of the communication medium, should not deceive or mislead them. “Packaging and labeling of Food” is one of the 10 essential FSSAI regulations and is one of the most important food regulations that every food owner must be aware of.
Restrictions of advertising and unfair trade practices
Misleading and deceptive advertisements related to the food industry are prohibited under 10 essential FSSAI regulations. No misleading or deceiving advertisement relating to any kind of food is allowed under any rule or regulation. Not only advertisement but also unfair trade practices are restricted under the 2006 act. Unfair trade practice includes but are not limited to the following:
- False representation regarding the standard, quality, quantity, or grade composition of any kind of food material
- Misleading representation of any food item in the market among consumers
- Gives any guarantee that eating this or that one can cure any kind of disease, issue, or problem without proper scientific research will fall under this category of unfair trade practices
All Imports of Articles of Food to be Subject to FSSAI
Section 25 of the Food Safety and Standards Act no person shall import into India:
- Any unsafe or misbranded food material
- Food that is substandard and contains extraneous matter which can cause harm to the consumer
- Any article of food that needs to take a license cannot be imported without that license in India
- In contravention of any law or provision of law, any food item cannot be imported into India
The time limit for prosecutions
Now comes the next regulation which falls under the 10 essential FSSAI regulations and that is the “time limit for prosecution”. As per section 77 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, no court shall take cognizance of any offense which has been committed under this act after the expiry of the period of one year. This one year will be counted from the date of the commission of an offense. But it also has an exception which is that if the commissioner of Food Safety after recording the reasons for delay in writing, approves prosecution the time duration can be extended to 3 years. And then the case can be filed within 3 years from the date of commission of the offense.
Food License
As per the Food Safety and Standard Act, of 2006, it is mandatory for all food business owners to get a food license. Whether they are running a small food business or a well-established one, they have to get a food license. This license is of three types which include general food license, state food license, and Central Food license. Turnover and type of business will decide which food license will be applicable to which food business. Hence according to one business, one needs to take a food license. If any food business owner works or runs a food business without having a food license heavy penalties can be imposed on him. That’s why to safeguard one’s business one must take a food license.
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
Under Section 4 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, the Food Safety and Standard Authority has been established. The work of this authority is to implement the provisions of the act mentioned about. If any food owner is caught selling, manufacturing, supplying, and distributing any kind of food that is not up to the standards he or she can be liable to pay heavy penalties under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Renewal of Food License
FSSAI License needs renewal after every five years. This indicates that this license is valid for 5 years initially and then the food business owner can renew it for further time duration. Whether one is taking a general food license, state food license, or central Food license it will be valid for 5 years, and after 5 years food business owners have to renew it before the expiry date. If the license expires then it can be canceled by the competent authorities. In that situation, one needs to take a new FSSAI License. Therefore to safeguard yourself from any such situation you must renew your license before the expiry date.
Conclusion
The Food Safety and Standards Act, of 2006, provides many FSSAI regulations out of which 10 essential FSSAI regulations are discussed above. Food law is pivotal in upholding food safety and quality in India. The 10 essential FSSAI regulations, which encompass additives, contamination prevention, labeling, and more, play a crucial role in maintaining industry integrity. Food licenses are mandatory for all food businesses in India. This license requires renewal every five years, ensuring continued compliance with the law. These regulations not only protect consumers but also uplift the reputation of food businesses. By following them, businesses demonstrate their commitment to delivering safe and high-quality food products to the public at large. This builds trust and confidence among consumers, promoting the overall health and safety of India’s population while supporting a thriving and responsible food industry.
