Quality standards have become mandatory in many businesses and the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006 governs food product licencing. These standards play a vital role in ensuring that consumers have access to high-quality, non-adulterated commodities. Notably, FSSAI and AGMARK have emerged as two well-known food product standards that have earned considerable recognition in the industry.
The changing environment in the country has resulted in multiple revisions in food safety rules and translating them into each act required a significant amount of time, resources and effort. The Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006 was the solution, bringing all previous acts dealing with food items under one roof. This consolidation makes it much easier for consumers to keep track of these laws and ensure that the quality of food goods in the country does not deteriorate.
Understanding FSSAI Licence and AGMARK Certification
The FSSAI Licence granted by FSSAI under the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006 serves as a checkpoint or acid test, determining whether the food product meets the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s food standards. FSSAI regulates every food-related industry, whether it is storage, manufacturing, distribution, packaging, re-labelling, import or export.
AGMARK is an abbreviation for Agricultural Mark, which is a certification granted by The Directorate of Marketing and Inspection for all agricultural products. AGMARK is a certification awarded by The Directorate of Marketing and Inspection to agricultural products that pass the required grading and certification tests. However, there lies a significant difference between AGMARK and FSSAI Licence.
While the FSSAI mostly is responsible for developing legislation governing food standards, the Directorate of Marketing and Inspection for Agricultural Produce ensures the product’s quality and purity, as well as setting quality standards for agricultural commodities.
What is FSSAI and What are its Functions?
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India is a government authority and established in 2008 as per provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006. FSSAI ensures that all food items fulfil hygienic and safe consumption requirements through validation and standardisation.
Each type of FSSAI licence, be it basic registration, state licence or central licence corresponds to the scale and scope of the food business, ensuring compliance with the food safety regulations set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. Obtaining the appropriate licence ensures that businesses meet the necessary standards and maintain the safety and quality of the food products they offer.
Functions of FSSAI:
FSSAI functions include developing guidelines to help establish and enforce food safety standards.
- Establish rules for certifying entities and oversee the certification system.
- Create policies outlining the certification of food testing laboratories.
- Provide advice and technical assistance to the government on food safety laws.
- Gather information about food consumption, health risks, pollutants and potential biological threats.
- Create a method for informing individuals about these dangers.
- Provide training for those working in the food industry.
- Increase food safety awareness.
What is AGMARK and What are the Eligible Products for AGMARK?
AGMARK is a quality certificate that designates a product as pure and of the required quality as established by a regulatory organisation. It works as a guarantor for agricultural products consumed in India. The intrinsic merit of an agricultural item determines its quality and these standards are developed with international rules and specifications in mind to ensure compliance with WTO regulations.
Products Eligible for AGMARK Certification:
Following are the products eligible for AGMARK certification:
1. Pulses: AGMARK certification is available for pulses, ensuring their quality and adherence to specified standards.
2. Whole Spices: Whole spices like cardamom, cinnamon and cloves can be AGMARK certified to ensure their authenticity and quality.
3. Vegetable Oils: AGMARK certification is applicable to a variety of vegetable oils, including mustard oil, sunflower oil and soybean oil, to assure purity and safety criteria.
4. Wheat Products: AGMARK certification covers wheat products like flour, atta and semolina, ensuring their quality and nutritional value.
5. Milk Products: AGMARK certification is available for milk and milk products, such as ghee and butter, ensuring their safety, purity and adherence to quality standards.
6. Honey: AGMARK certification guarantees the quality and purity of honey, certifying that it meets the defined standards and is free from any adulteration.
7. Rice: AGMARK certification applies to different varieties of rice, ensuring their quality, size and appearance.
8. Tapioca Sago: AGMARK certification ensures the quality and purity of tapioca sago, verifying that it is free from impurities and meets the specified standards.
9. Seedless Tamarind: AGMARK certification covers seedless tamarind, certifying its quality, taste and absence of seeds.
10. Besan (Gram Flour): AGMARK certification is available for besan, providing assurance of its quality, texture and adherence to defined standards.
AGMARK certification for these products assures consumers of their quality, safety and compliance with the established standards, enhancing trust and confidence in the market.
Key Differences between FSSAI Licence and AGMARK
Both AGMARK and FSSAI Licence ensure that certain food products and agricultural products meet the necessary requirements to be considered fit for human consumption. However, there are key differences between them. Given below are the major differences between FSSAI Licence and AGMARK:
| Basis of Difference | AGMARK | FSSAI Licence |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | AGMARK is a certification label for agricultural products | FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) is a government agency responsible for food control, which grants licences to complying agencies who maintain the required standards and hygiene. |
| Governance | AGMARK comes under the Agriculture Produce (Grading & Marketing) Act of India, 1937 (amended in 1986) | FSSAI is established under the Food Safety and Standard Act of 2006 |
| Issuance | AGMARK certification involves testing and analysis at state-owned laboratories | FSSAI licences are issued based on a specific licencing process for individual establishments |
| Coverage | AGMARK provides quality recommendations for 213 agricultural goods(subject to change) | FSSAI covers all types of food products and processes involved in food processing |
| Product Type | AGMARK certification is specific to agricultural products | FSSAI covers a wide range of food items, both agricultural and non-agricultural |
| Functions | AGMARK ensures compliance with standards approved by the Directorate of Marketing and Inspection | FSSAI regulates and inspects the production, packaging and inspection of food products |
| Laboratories | AGMARK testing and analysis are conducted at regional labs in 11 nodal cities, with the Central AGMARK Laboratory located in Nagpur | – |
| Application in Operations | AGMARK focuses on ensuring product quality only | FSSAI covers various aspects of food processing and packaging operations |
| Government Authority | AGMARK certification is approved by the Directorate of Marketing and Inspection, which falls under the Department of Agriculture | FSSAI is an independent government authority, under administration of Ministry of Health |
| Enforcement | AGMARK certification is enforced by the Directorate of Marketing and Inspection | FSSAI has the authority to enforce food safety regulations and impose penalties for non-compliance |
| Compliance Verification | AGMARK certification ensures compliance with specific quality standards for agricultural products | FSSAI conducts inspections and audits to verify compliance with food safety standards |
| Consumer Protection | AGMARK certification provides assurance to consumers about the quality and authenticity of agricultural products | FSSAI works to protect consumers from adulteration, contamination and misleading food products |
| Labelling Requirements | AGMARK certification may require specific labelling to indicate compliance and product details | FSSAI sets labelling requirements for all food products to provide accurate information to consumers |
Final Thoughts
While both the FSSAI licence and the AGMARK certification are vital for assuring the quality and safety of food items in India, there are significant variations between the two. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, a government organisation established under the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006, issues FSSAI licence. It applies to all food goods and governs several parts of the food industry.
AGMARK certification, on the other hand, is provided by the Directorate of Marketing and Inspection for agricultural products to ensure their quality and conformance to defined requirements. AGMARK tests agricultural products for chemicals, microbiological experiments, pesticide residue and aflatoxin levels. Furthermore, it is the product that is AGMARK certified, while individuals are granted FSSAI licence. Overall, both the FSSAI licence and the AGMARK certification play important roles in ensuring food quality and safety in India, but with different scopes and techniques.
To find out more on the differences between FSSAI Licence and AGMARK, connect with our team of experts at StartupFino.
