The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, Ministry of Health & Family Affairs, Government of India has designed and implemented an Online Food Product Approval System (FPAS) through which users can check online, the need for Product Approval of their products, apply online, pay relevant fee, provide required clarifications, track status and finally receive No Objection Certificate or Product Approval as relevant.
K Chandramouli, Chairperson of FSSAI, who launched the online FPAS at FDA Bhavan, New Delhi on the September 9, 2014, said “FSSAI is proud to launch this dynamic system to all its stakeholders to bring in consistency, transparency and ease of use to the otherwise complex process of scientific risk assessment of new food products being introduced into the Indian market.”
The FPAS project has been developed by National Institute for Smart Government (NISG) under the able guidance of Product Approval and Screening Committee. The FPAS can be accessed through the website http://fpas.fssai.gov.in. FPAS is first of its kind IT system for Food Product Approval by a regulator.
The Food Business Operators are requested to utilize the online services and provide their feedback in the endeavors of FSSAI to improve the Product Approval process and eventually switch over to an Ingredient based Authorization system that is fully integrated with Food Licensing System and Food Import Clearance System
The Government of India enacted Food Safety and Standards Act, (FSS Act, 2006) to regulate and monitor the manufacture, process, pack, transport, store, distribute, sell, import and provide approvals of any food or food ingredient, so as to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption and also to lay down science based standards.