Cabinet nod to withdraw amendments to Food Safety Act

Setting aside changes proposed by the previous government to Food Safety and Standards Act, the government today said fresh amendments would be made after further consultations in this matter.
A decision to withdraw the existing amendments to this Act was taken this evening by the Union Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The UPA government had proposed amendments to the Act to expand the composition of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and dispense with some conditions in public interest while making regulations on food.
"The Cabinet gave its approval for withdrawing the Food Safety and Standards (Amendment) Bill, 2014 as introduced in the Rajya Sabha on 19.02.2014," an official statement said.

The Food Safety and Standards (Amendment) Bill, 2014 needs to be further amended after taking into account the judgements of the Supreme Court, Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court and representations received by the government and other recent developments, it said.
"Based on further examination, a fresh set of amendments will be finalised by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare," the statement added.