The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare framed the Food Safety and Standards (Amendment) Bill 2020, introducing 70 new amendments in the 2006 FSS Act
October 2020 brought with it big news for the Food Industry. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare framed the Food Safety and Standards (Amendment) Bill 2020, introducing 70 new amendments in the 2006 FSS Act to revamp huge parts of the FSSAI functioning and its jurisdiction.
A brief on some noteworthy changes that will come with the amendments:
Extended Jurisdiction
Under the amendments, it has been proposed to bring regulation of the animal feed. Thus extending FSSAI’s jurisdiction over the Animal Feed Industry.
Food Contact Material Standards
The government has also decided to specify standards for ‘food contact material’. This would mean that it’ll specify standards for packaging materials.
Enhanced Penalties
The amendments have introduced a new section to define penalties. It includes proposing of enhancing maximum fine against violations from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 3 lakh.
Easing of Notice Serving Process
The Centre also proposes to simplify the process of serving notices to a food business operator, who is running unsafe restaurants or any other establishment.
“FSSAI has come a long way since its establishment in 2006. It has seen many trendsetting milestones under the varied leadership of strong leaders,” says Ashwin Bhadri, CEO, Equinox Labs, Mumbai.
“The bill gives FSSAI more power as well as responsibility and will prove to be another milestone in the history of food safety in India”, he added.
With the global viral crisis right around the corner, India definitely needs to gear up on nutrition, health, and safety. The bill hopes to further aid FSSAI establish its goals of Food Safety.