Government Plans Single Regulator for Food Safety Certification
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has approved several amendments aimed at simplifying food safety regulations and promoting the concept of 'One Nation, One Commodity, One Regulator'. These amendments, which were given the green light during a meeting led by Health Secretary Apurva Chandra, will eliminate the requirement for Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) or AGMARK certification for food products, thus enhancing the ease of doing business in the food industry.
After the amendments are finalized, food businesses would not have to go to different authorities for mandatory certification with only FSSAI certification being made mandatory for food products, according to an official statement issued. Other approvals include standards of Mead (Honey wine) and Alcoholic Ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages, revision of standards of milk fat products, standards for Haleem etc. The Food Authority also approved a first-of-its-kind and comprehensive manual of methods of analysis for ensuring regulatory compliance of the food products.
During the meeting, amendments to various Food Safety and Standards Regulations were approved for draft notification, allowing stakeholders to provide comments before finalization. These revisions encompassed standards for Milk Fat Products, with the inclusion of fatty acid requirements for Ghee extended to other milk fat products. Additionally, the Food Authority will establish standards for 'Haleem' as part of its regulations for meat products. Haleem, a dish comprising meat, pulses, grains, and other ingredients, currently lacks defined standards.
