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What are the Duties and functions of FSSAI (Food Authority of India)

What are the Duties and functions of FSSAI (Food Authority of India)-corpseed.png

Introduction

It shall be the duty of the Food Authority to regulate and monitor the manufacture, processing, distribution, sale and import of food so as to ensure safe and wholesome food for consumers.

Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-section (1), the Food Authority of India may by regulations specify:-

  • The standards and guidelines in relation to articles of food and specifying an appropriate system for imposing various standards reported under this Act;
  • The parameters for use of crop contaminants, myco-toxins, antibiotics, food additives, pesticide residues, residues of veterinary drugs, heavy metals, processing aids, and pharmacological active materials and treatment of food;
  • The mechanisms, guidelines and standards for accreditation of certification bodies involved in certification of food safety management systems for food businesses;
  • The procedure and the implementation of quality control in relation to any article of food imported and sell into India;
  • The procedure and guidelines for accreditation of laboratories and notification of the accredited laboratories to various sources;
  • The method of analysis, sampling, and exchange of information among enforcement authorities;
  • Conduct survey of implementation and administration of food Act in the country;
  • Food labelling standards including claims on health, special dietary uses, nutrition and food category structures for foods; and
  • The manner in which and the procedure subject to which risk analysis, risk communication, risk valuation, and risk management shall be undertaken.

The Food Authority of India shall make it public without undue delay:-

  • The opinions of the Scientific Panel and the Scientific Committee immediately after adoption;
  • The annual declarations of interest made by members of the Food Authority, members of the Advisory Committee, the Chief Executive Officer, and members of the Scientific Committee and Scientific Panel, as well as the declarations of interest if any, made in relation to items on the agendas of meetings;
  • The results of any scientific studies; and
  • The annual report of its activities;

The Food Authority shall also:-

  • Provide technical support and scientific advice to the Central Government and the State Governments in matters of framing the rules and policy in areas that have a direct or indirect bearing on food nutrition and safety;
  • Reach, collect, analyze, collate, and summarize relevant scientific and technical data particularly relating to:
    • food consumption and the exposure of individuals to risks associated to the consumption of food;
    • Incidence and occurrence of biological risk;
    • Contaminants in food products.
    • Residues of numerous contaminants;
    • Identification of emerging risks; and
    • Introduction of quick alert system;
  • Co-ordinate, Endorse and issue guidelines for the development of risk assessment methodologies and monitor and conduct and forward messages on the health and nutritional risks of food to the State Governments, Central Government, and Commissioners of Food Safety;
  • Provide technical and scientific advice and assistance to the State Governments and the Central Government in implementation of crisis management procedures with regard to food safety and to draw up a general plan for crisis management and work in close co-operation with the crisis unit set up by the Central Government in this regard;
  • Establish a system of network of organizations with the aim to facilitate a scientific co-operation framework by the co-ordination of activities, the development and implementation of joint projects, the exchange of expertise, the exchange of information and best practices in the fields within the Food Authority’s duty;
  • Provide scientific and technical assistance to the State Governments and the Central Government for improving co-operation with international organizations;
  • Take all such steps to ensure that the public, consumers, interested parties and all levels of panchayats receive quick, reliable, objective and comprehensive information through appropriate methods and means;
  • Provide, whether within or outside their area, training programs in food safety and standards for persons who are or intend to become involved in food businesses, whether as an employees or food business operators or otherwise;
  • Undertake any additional task assigned to it by the Central Government to carryout the objects of this Act.
  • Contribute to the development of international technical standards for food, Phyto-sanitary and sanitary standards;
  • Contribute, where relevant and appropriate to the development of agreement on recognition of the equivalence of specific food related measures;
  • Promote co-ordination of work on food standards undertaken by international Governmental and Non-governmental organizations;
  • Promote consistency between domestic food standards and international technical standards while making sure that the level of protection adopted in the country is not reduced; and
  • Promote general awareness related to food safety and food standards.

The Food Authority shall not disclose or cause to be disclosed to third party’s confidential information that it receives for which confidential treatment has been requested and has been acceded, except for information which must be made public if circumstances so need, in order to guard public health.

The Food Authority may from time to time give such instructions, on matters relating to food safety and standards, to the Commissioner of Food Safety, who shall be liable by such instructions while exercising his powers under this Act;

This portion of the site is for informational purposes only. The content is not legal advice. The statements and opinions are the expression of author, not corpseed, and have not been evaluated by corpseed for accuracy, completeness, or changes in the law.

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