Food Safety Display Boards, often abbreviated as FSDBs, serve a vital role by informing customers about a food business’s hygiene rating. This rating is determined through an inspection conducted by a food safety officer, who evaluates the business’s adherence to food safety regulations. The resulting rating is then showcased on the FSDB, accompanied by a concise explanation of its significance.
In September 2018, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India made it obligatory for food establishments to display food safety display boards. These boards are designed to impart crucial information about food safety and hygiene practices that food business operators (FBOs) should uphold in their operations. The aim was to educate customers about the hygiene protocols followed by the establishments they patronise.
Significance of Food Safety Display Boards
Food Safety Display Boards are of much importance in FSSAI registration or FSSAI licence for the business as well as the users based on following factors:
Enhancing Customer Awareness
FSDBs play a vital role in promoting transparency and accountability within the food industry. These boards are indispensable for providing customers with crucial information concerning the food hygiene rating of a business. By doing so, they empower consumers to make well-informed choices when deciding where to dine, fostering a safer and more hygienic dining experience.
Promoting Hygiene Standards
Moreover, FSDBs serve as a catalyst for motivating businesses to uphold and improve their food safety and hygiene standards. With their hygiene rating on public display, businesses are incentivised to maintain high levels of cleanliness and safety, ensuring that customers can enjoy their meals with confidence.
Boosting Transparency and Accountability
Food Safety Display Boards are instrumental in enhancing transparency and accountability in the food industry. This not only benefits customers by helping them make safer dining choices but also encourages businesses to consistently uphold stringent food safety and hygiene standards, thus fostering a healthier and more trustworthy food environment for all stakeholders.
Understanding the Process of Food Safety Display Boards
The process of Food Safety Display Boards can be understood based on:
Evaluation by Food Safety Officers
The operation of Food Safety Display Boards (FSDBs) begins with a comprehensive evaluation conducted by a food safety officer. This assessment focuses on several key criteria, each of which plays a pivotal role in determining the food hygiene rating of a given food business. The criteria for assessment include:
1. Hygienic Food Handling: This criterion assesses how well the food is managed throughout its lifecycle – from preparation and cooking to cooling and storage. It encompasses the entire process of food handling to ensure it meets high hygiene standards.
2. Structural Condition: The structural integrity of the business premises is scrutinised, including factors such as cleanliness, lighting, etc.
3. Food Safety Management: The food safety officer assesses how the business manages and documents its food safety protocols. This encompasses procedures for safeguarding food, managing safety risks associated with food products, and staff training in food safety practices.
Assigning the Food Hygiene Rating
Based on the assessment of these criteria, the food safety officer assigns a numerical rating ranging from 0 to 5, with 5 representing the highest possible rating. This rating is a clear reflection of the overall food hygiene and safety standards maintained by the business or food operator.
Mandatory Inclusion of Food Safety Display Boards by FSSAI
In February 2018, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India introduced crucial regulations aimed at enhancing food safety standards. One of the conditions set forth in these regulations was the requirement for restaurants to prominently display FSDBs within their premises.Despite these, many restaurants were not adhering to the directive of displaying FSDBs in a manner for all customers to see. After years of contemplation and observation, the FSSAI decided to address this issue proactively.
As a result of the observed non-compliance, the FSSAI established stringent measures. Henceforth, all Food Business Operators (FBOs) are obligated to exhibit their FSDBs, which should prominently display their FSSAI registration or licence number as a clear indicator of authorisation. To further facilitate compliance, FSSAI has made it possible for FBOs to access a digital copy of the FSDB through its official website.
Components of Food Safety Display Boards
The components of FSDBs include:
1. FSSAI Registration/Licence Number
The inclusion of the FSSAI registration or licence number on the Food Safety Display Board serves as a critical element for customer assurance and transparency.
Customers can easily verify the authenticity of the restaurant’s FSSAI registration or licence by visiting the FSSAI website, ensuring that the establishment meets the required food safety standards.
2. Hygiene Requirements
Providing information on hygiene requirements is essential to establish a baseline of food safety standards and requirements within the food establishment.
This component educates consumers about the essential hygiene practices followed by the restaurant, fostering trust and confidence in the quality and safety of the food served.
3. Feedback System
The feedback system is designed to enable customers to express their opinions, concerns, and suggestions regarding the food establishment’s food safety and hygiene practices.
By offering various channels for feedback, such as WhatsApp, SMS, or the FSSAI app, this element empowers consumers to actively participate in the maintenance of food safety standards, ensuring continuous improvement and accountability within the industry.
Colour-Coding for Distinct FSDB Categories
Colour coding Food Safety Display Boards (FSDBs) provides a visual cue to easily identify the type of establishment and the associated food safety rules. The following colour codes are employed:
1. Manufacturing – Turquoise: Turquoise FSDBs are indicative of food manufacturing establishments. They signify that the establishment is engaged in the production and processing of food products.
2. Transport/Distribution – Navy Blue: Navy blue FSDBs are assigned to transport and distribution units, emphasising their role in the safe and hygienic movement of food products.
3. Storage Unit – Yellow: Yellow FSDBs represent food storage units, highlighting their crucial role in maintaining the quality and safety of stored food items.
4. Liquor Retail – Brown: Brown FSDBs are allocated to liquor retail establishments, emphasising the need for adhering to food safety standards in these specific settings.
5. Fruit and Vegetable Retail – Green: Green FSDBs are associated with fruit and vegetable retail outlets, indicating their focus on maintaining the safety and quality of fresh produce.
6. Meat Retail – Red: Red FSDBs are indicative of meat retail establishments, stressing the importance of food safety in the handling and sale of meat products.
7. Milk Retail – Blue: Blue FSDBs are assigned to milk retail outlets, signifying the need for stringent food safety practices in the handling of dairy products.
8. Restaurant – Purple: Purple FSDBs are used for traditional restaurants, highlighting the importance of food safety in establishments that serve cooked meals.
9. Street Food – Purple: Street food vendors also use purple FSDBs, indicating their adherence to food safety rules for mobile food service.
10. Retail Store – Grey: Grey FSDBs are allocated to retail stores, emphasising the need for food safety practices in grocery and convenience stores.
Essential Guidelines for Setting up Food Safety Display Boards
Some basic guidelines for setting up Food Safety Display Boards are:
1. Board Material and Size: The FSDB for FSSAI-licenced food businesses should be printed on an A3-sized board, preferably constructed from cardboard. FSSAI-registered food businesses, on the other hand, should have an FSDB printed on A4-sised boards.
2. Prominent Display: FSDBs must be prominently displayed in areas where they are easily visible to all customers, such as at the entrance, billing counter, or reception.
3. Compliance Deadline: It is imperative to adhere to the FSDB display regulations. Non-compliance beyond 15 October 2018 will result in severe punishments and repercussions.
4. Inclusion of Licence/Registration Number: Each FSDB must contain the hotel’s FSSAI licence or registration number. This is crucial for customers to verify the establishment’s authenticity.
5. Color-Coding: The FSDB should be appropriately colour-coded, ensuring that it aligns with the specific category of the food establishment as per the prescribed colour codes.
6. Specialisation: Each establishment should only display boards that are relevant to their particular area of work, ensuring that customers receive accurate information.
7. Multiple Boards: If an establishment is large or a single board is insufficient to display information to all customers effectively, more than one FSDB may be displayed.
8. Maintenance: The establishment is responsible for ensuring that the content on the FSDB remains legible and undamaged over time.
9. Contact Information: To facilitate customer feedback, details about the company’s name and how to provide feedback should be added to the lower right-hand side of the board. This encourages customer engagement and strengthens food safety practices.
Final Thoughts
Food Safety Display Boards play a vital role in promoting transparency and accountability within the food industry. The FSSAI’s mandate for FSDBs, which include specific guidelines for display, color-coding, and information provision, is a significant step towards ensuring food safety standards. These boards empower customers to make informed choices, foster compliance, and promote adherence to stringent food safety regulations. They also facilitate the collection of valuable feedback, allowing food establishments to continually improve their practices. The visually distinct colour codes assigned to different categories of establishments further enhance customer awareness.
By complying with these regulations and guidelines, food businesses contribute to a safer, more transparent, and trustworthy food industry, where the health and well-being of consumers are supreme.
