FSSAI seeks Rs 5,000 cr to set up food safety labs across the country

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has sought Rs 5,000 crore from the Government for setting up food safety labs across the country, said K Chandramouli, chairperson, FSSAI.

The fund is proposed to be used during the in the 12th Five-Year Plan.

FSSAI also plans to register and license 55 million food and beverage firms, manufacturers and vendors, including companies in the unorganized sector, by February 2014 to harmonise food safety standards, Chandramouli said on the sidelines of an Indian Beverage Association seminar here today.

“We do not have food and safety standards in the country which deal with food products across the spectrum. For this, we need to get the state governments and other stakeholders on board,” Chandramouli said.

At present, just one million licences have been issued to food and beverage operators.

Chandramouli said that implementation of the FSSAI Act continues to remain a challenge.