Food regulator launches mobile app for consumers

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Food safety regulator FSSAI has launched a mobile app through which consumers can raise their concerns related to quality of packaged food and the food served in ready-to-eat outlets.
Since most of the times the form of food consumed is either packed or serviced, the app provides food safety tips and food safety laws as prescribed by the regulator through its regulations, says the description of the mobile app launched by FSSAI.
"FSSAI App will allow consumers to raise their food safety related concerns. Whether it is a Packaged Food or a Food Service Establishment, now consumers are empowered to know about the food business operators and get informed about the food safety information," according to the description.

The app for Android smartphone users has built-in functionalities to locate the consumer's geographical location and consumers can raise any food incidents witnessed along with the captured pictures.
The app also empowers consumers to check many parameters on which the food safety is compromised for both packaged foods and food served in ready-to-eat establishments.
For served food, the consumer is given an option to rate the Overall Hygiene of the food service establishment.

(Reopens DEL 70)
In wheat flour, Agarwal said, nine micronutrients need to be added for fortification and out of that three are mandatory and six are optional.

Asked about cost impact, he said it is very minimal and can be easily absorbed by the manufacturers.
Ajay Khera, the Deputy Commissioner in Health Ministry, said the fortification of staple food is very simple and cost effective.
The fortification cost will be under 10 paisa per kg/litre in case of wheat, salt, edible oil and milk and slightly higher in case of rice.
Agarwal asked states to adopt food fortification in different programmes. He mentioned that the state governments had tried fortification earlier but the process got derailed because of politics and allegations that it was helping certain business house.

In draft rules, FSSAI said that any manufacturer who fortifies any food should ensure that the level of micronutrient in such that the fortified food does not fall below the specified minimum level.
Every manufacturer should ensure that the level of micrometeorite in such fortified food does not exceed the highest amount of micronutrient that can safely be added to such food, having regard to recognised international standards, the draft added.
"The Food Authority may, specify mandatory fortification of any staple food on the directions of the government," the draft said.
All fortified food, whether voluntarily fortified or mandatorily, should be manufactured, packed, labeled, handled, distributed and sold, whether for profit or under a government-funded programme, only in compliance with the standards specified under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and regulations made thereunder.

In the draft, FSSAI has also prescribed packaging and labelling norms for fortified food.