The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is planning to conduct audit of food business operators through third-party private agencies in order to strengthen the food safety surveillance system.
According to FSSAI, the audit through recognised agencies in addition to existing enforcement and inspection procedure is critical to ensuring safety aspect of an extensive network of food businesses in India.
FSSAI has provisionally recognised 22 audit agencies, including international agencies like DNV, Bureau Veritas, Intertek, MS Certification, IRCLASS, SGS, BIS, TUV, Indocert.
The third-party agencies will work in close coordination with the government’s food safety apparatus.