Intertek has been commissioned by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to undertake the testing, inspection and auditing of food business operators (FBOs). The work will enable the FBOs not only to demonstrate compliance to requirements under the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006 and Regulations, 2011, but also lead to issue of FSSAI licenses and its renewal thereafter.
The Intertek food laboratory in Gurgaon has been accredited by the National Accreditation Board For Testing Laboratories (NABL) and offers state of the art facilities and technically competent staff to fulfill all the requirements for achieving the national and international accreditation.
The lab is equipped with over 175 testing devices and sophisticated equipment including LCMSMS, GCMSMS/GCMS, ICPMS for accredited testing of for several food products and water. The lab's capabilities also cover residual pesticides, antibiotics, heavy metals, aflatoxins, melamine, pathogen analysis, fatty acids and cholesterol, vitamins, antioxidants and other commercial chemical and microbiological parameters. The food lab has recently undergone an extensive proficiency testing programme and continual training of manpower to further increase its competency. This approach ensures that Intertek’s clients get the most effective services possible, with accurate, traceable test results.
FBOs need to test their food samples at defined intervals every year and with the assistance of Intertek food lab services as per NABL-accredited scopes are available for any such testing requirements. Intertek will also be responsible for many factors inspecting food businesses from basic sanitary and hygiene requirements, to periodical audits to verify and rectification FSSAI deficiencies by guiding and advising applicants applying for the license. The accreditation further authorises Intertek to award the Food Safety Management System (FSMS) certificate as per FSS Act that is mandatory for all food business operators and issue certification for FSMS.
“It’s an honour to be entrusted by FSSAI to carry out the testing and auditing and we look forward to safeguard the interests of Indian consumers. We have experienced change in the behaviour of people and with more awareness coming in, we look forward to ensuring the best quality reaches the consumers,” said Rajesh Saigal, managing director, Intertek India
The Act, which came into force on August 5, 2011, requires all food manufacturers to acquire a FSMS license. Applying for a FSMS certification is mandatory for all FBOs applying for the first time, however for those seeking renewal, the certification procedure is voluntary. Intertek will also be training new food business operators towards Food Safety Management and Systems along with verifying complaints filed with the FSSAI.
