IDMA worried over FSSAI bringing food products approval system

Indian Drug Manufacturers Association today criticised FSSAI's attempts to bring back the 'food product approval system', saying the move is against the FSS Act and if implemented it will put the Rs 45,000-crore packaged foods industry in jeopardy.
Recalling that a Supreme Court order had disapproved the FSSAI attempts for such a system, the association said this led to the relaunch of the popular brand Revital after its ban.
It also alleged the FSSAI is obsessed with bringing back this restrictive trade practice and urged the government to not allow the regulator to go ahead with any such draft notification.

IDMA chairman, nutraceuticals and medical sub-committee, RK Sanghavi said such product approval system does not exist in any country as no food authority globally enforces such laws for consumer safety, once the basic ingredients are approved.
"The industry cannot be told to follow a non-existing regulations. It is the IDMA and the Confederation Of Indian Pharmaceutical Industry (CIPI) which informed the Bombay High Court that FSSAI has been dodging with the regulations since 2011," Sanghavi claimed.
The association also said the industry cannot be barred and restricted to carry out its business unless food safety officers approve of that the articles of food are unsafe.

He said the industry will soon approach the Prime Minister and the Union Health ministry.