FSSAI moves closer to 'engage' with food firms
Food regulator is in the process of withdrawing all old cases against food companies
 "FSSAI moves closer to 'engage' with food firms")
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Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the apex food regulator, is in the process of withdrawing all old cases against food business operators (FBO) which are now redundant under revised regulation. FSSAI has issued a circular to all local administrations in this regard bringing relief to many major multinational food producers and thousands of FBOs in the country.
The circular issued on Friday seeks to reduce confusion among stakeholders, including food manufacturers, state food and drug administration (FDA) officials and the FSSAI itself. “Commissioners of food safety are advised to withdraw, or, at least not pursue, cases for violation of old norms and standards unless these are still not in conformity with the new or revised standards so that avoidable harassment of FBOs could be prevented”, it said.
The new advisory is aimed at avoiding any Maggi-like incidence. In the latest round of controversy, district FDA officials had claimed presence of excess ash in Maggi noodle’s samples, collected a year ago. However, after review it was found that ash content in the samples confirmed to revised standards, while it surpassed the level allowed earlier.
The move has brought relief to many FBO in the country, who had been finding it difficult to deal with frequent change in norms and had cases filed against them. In the past few years, thousands of cases has been lodged against FBOs.
The circular issued on Friday seeks to reduce confusion among stakeholders, including food manufacturers, state food and drug administration (FDA) officials and the FSSAI itself. “Commissioners of food safety are advised to withdraw, or, at least not pursue, cases for violation of old norms and standards unless these are still not in conformity with the new or revised standards so that avoidable harassment of FBOs could be prevented”, it said.
The new advisory is aimed at avoiding any Maggi-like incidence. In the latest round of controversy, district FDA officials had claimed presence of excess ash in Maggi noodle’s samples, collected a year ago. However, after review it was found that ash content in the samples confirmed to revised standards, while it surpassed the level allowed earlier.
The move has brought relief to many FBO in the country, who had been finding it difficult to deal with frequent change in norms and had cases filed against them. In the past few years, thousands of cases has been lodged against FBOs.