India got its main food safety laws in 2006. It has been said that because in the same year, after the compilation of many laws related to food safety, one uniform law came, and that law is known as the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006. Food safety is taken very seriously by the government of India because it is directly associated with the health of the common masses. And it is the duty of the government to provide health safety to the public at large.
The Indian food market is divided into various stages. These bifurcations of various stages of the supply chain of food are enough that food can be contaminated. To look after all these things, in 2006, the government came up with food safety laws through the Food Safety and Standard Act of 2006. The current blog will discuss them in detail.
What is FSSAI?
Food Safety and Standard Authority of India, whose abbreviation is FSSAI. It is a competent authority established through food safety laws in India. This authority not only looks after food safety with respect to consumers but also takes care of the food business functioning in India. This is a central authority that looks after food safety in India. It provides licences to the food business owners to run their food business in the Indian market. This licence works as permission by the Indian government to work in the food industry. Through this, a 14-digit registration number has been given to the food businesses. It helps the government to keep an eye on the activities of the food businesses and ensures the consumers that they are having healthy food.
Food Safety and Standard Act of 2006
Food Safety and Standard Act of 2006, commonly known as the FSS Act among the laymen, is a legislature where each and everything regarding food safety has been given. It consists of many rules and regulations regarding food safety laws in India. After this legislation, laws related to food safety became unified in India. FSS Act came into force after the consolidation of the following laws:
- Prevention of Food Adulteration Act that came in 1954
- Order related to fruit products that came in 1955
- Meat food products order of 1973
- Order with respect to the vegetable oil products control that came in the year 1947
- Regulation order of 1998, which was related to the edible oils packaging
- Solvent extracted oil or de-oiled meal or edible flour control order of 1967
- Milk and milk products-related orders that came in late 1992
- Any other order under the Essential Commodities Act of 1955 relating to food and its safety
Reason for Enactment of Food Safety Laws
There are various reasons to enact various food safety laws through the FSS Act. Some of the important reasons behind the enactment of unified food safety laws are given below:
- To consolidate the various laws related to food safety and make them one that will work uniformly for the entire country.
- There were various reference systems before 2006; hence, with the purpose of a single-point reference system, the FSS Act was enacted.
- Establishment of a competent authority that can look after every aspect related to food safety in India and could make important decisions regarding the same
- To establish a competent authority, that is Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, whose abbreviation is FSSAI, to take care of food safety in the entire country.
- To provide licence for food business owners so that it becomes easy to monitor such businesses
- To ensure legal compliance with the food safety laws
Key Functions and Role of FSSAI
Some of the key or main functions of the FSSAI, the competent authority under the food safety laws whose full form is Food Safety and Standard Authority of India, are given below:
- Collect data regarding contaminants in food products
- Identification of emerging risks in the food market
- Introduction of a rapid alert system with respect to the food industry
- To frame rules and regulations for the safety of food in the market among consumers
- Set food safety-related standards and guidelines for the food businesses so that they can maintain food safety
- Grant permission to the food business owners to do food business in the form of licences and registrations
- While framing policies related to food, it gives suggestions to the government
- To promote safe food practices
- To promote the safety of food
- To control adulteration of food
- To make food market hygiene and adulteration-free
- To control the quality of food
Main Provisions of the FSS Act
There are a total of 12 chapters, 101 sections and two schedules under the FSS Act of 2006. Below is the list of some important provisions of the food safety laws in India:
- Preliminary sections of the FSS Act where the definition part has been given
- The second most important provision is related to FSSAI, the competent authority under the laws related to food safety whose full form is Food Safety and Standard Authority of India.
- The general principle of food safety
- General provisions related to the articles of food
- Provision related to import
- Special responsibilities related to food safety
- Enforcement of the FSS Act
- Analysis of food products in the market
- Offences and penalties related to food safety
- Adjudication and Food Safety Appellate Tribunal
- Budget of Food Authority
- Finances of food authority
- Accounts and audit of food authority
- Annual report of food authority
Key Regulations of the FSS Act
There are multiple rules and regulations under the FSS Act. Two of the most important regulations under the FSS Act are given below:
2011 Regulation Related to Licensing & Registration
Every food business owner who wants to run a food business in India needs to get a food licence which is also known as FSSAI registration from the FSSAI, the competent authority under the food safety laws whose full form is Food Safety and Standard Authority of India. If any food business owner is caught doing food business without having a proper food licence under the laws related to food safety in India, a heavy penalty or fine can be imposed against him or her. Penalties and fines given under food safety laws are good enough to collapse your business. Hence, it is always suggested by the experts to get this licence before starting any kind of food business. This licence is of the following three types:
- General Food License
- State Food License
- Central Food License
2011 Regulation Related to Packaging & Labelling
Under the FSS Act, everything regarding packaging and labelling has been given so that there will be no confusion for the customer. Packaging and labelling are important because, through this, a consumer can gather information regarding the food product he or she is purchasing or consuming. Some of the key points regarding packaging and labelling are given below:
- Proper and clear name of the food product
- The list of ingredients must be mentioned on the product
- Nutritional information must be given
- A declaration must be given on the product if the food product is vegetarian or non-vegetarian
- Declaration of the food additives used while preparing the food product
- Name and complete address of the manufacturer of the food product
- Customer care details must be given
- Quantity and quality-related data must be provided to the consumers
- The retail sale price of the food product must be mentioned
- FSSAI logo and licence number should be mentioned on the product
- A batch identification number needs to be given on the product
- The date of marketing and manufacturing with the expiry date of the product must be given on the product
- Instruction for the use of the product must be given for the understanding of the consumer
Procedure to Get FSSAI License Under Food Safety Laws
There is an online process to get any kind of food licence under the FSS Act. Follow the steps given below to get FSSAI licence in India:
Collect Documents for FSSAI License
Getting any kind of FSSAI licence documents plays a crucial role. Hence, one must collect the following basic documents before starting the online registration process under the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India:
- Identification proof of the authorised signatory as well as other directors or partners of the entity
- Address proof of the authorised signatory as well as other directors or partners of the entity
- All the documents related to the entity, like any kind of associated deed, COI, MOA, AOA, etc.
- Business address proof of the entity is a must
- Name and list of machinery, if applicable
- Complete Form B and Form 9 with the signature
- List of food for which licence has been required
- A water analysis report will be required
- Food safety management plan
Get FSSAI Licence Registration
Follow the steps given below to get yourself registered under the food safety laws:
- Visit the official portal of the FSSAI and create login credentials
- Login through the credential
- Complete the registration form and submit it
- The department will verify the application for the FSSAI licence
- If everything is up to date and correct, they will issue the licence within 7-10 days after submitting the application for registration.
- Applicant must display this licence at his business place
Kinds of Business Criteria for FSSAI License
Generally, all types of food business owners who are dealing in any kind of food need to take this licence. But for a better understanding, some of them are given below:
- Hotels, restaurants and cafes
- Importers and exporters of the food
- Seller and reseller of food
- Food transporters
- Retailers and wholesalers of food
- Food canteens and suppliers of food
- Food manufacturers
- Dairy processing units
- PGs serving food
Conclusion
Under the food safety laws, every aspect regarding food safety and security has been covered. To maintain food safety and security, an authority has been established to look after everything regarding food safety in India, and that authority is known as the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India. Before the Food Safety and Standard Act of 2006, India had many laws related to food safety. But in 2006, the government unified the food-related laws in India, and they consolidated all of them and came up with one law called the FSS Act of 2006. Uniformity in the food industry is necessary to centralise food safety in India. This needs to be addressed because food is directly associated with or related to the health of the consumers. To make food safety important, the government established heavy penalties and fines for the violation of the FSS Act. That is the reason professionals always suggest that food business owners comply with the provisions of laws related to food safety.
