Y S Malik, CEO, FSSAI, has stressed upon safety of commodities such as oil, milk and water, and called upon states and Union territories to step up surveillance activities in this regard.
According to the minutes of the 13th CAC (Central Advisory Committee) meeting, held in January released by FSSAI recently, the CEO shared the details of discussions held by Standing Committee of Parliament for Consumer Affairs and its serious concerns about wide-spread incidence of milk adulteration and steps required to effectively address the menace.
He added that milk, water and edible oils were three ‘big ticket items’ which were consumed by almost all sections of consumers and the need for increased surveillance of the safety of these items across all states-UTs in the country.
It was observed that special attention should be given to foods which were consumed in large quantities by large segments of the population and those who were at greater risk through sub-standard or adulterated food.
Also raised in the meeting was the issue of infrastructure, which the authority wanted to be improved for better implementation of FSS Act. The authority urged the states to improve infrastructure, so that the Act could be implemented in its true spirit. Also suggestions were made for establishment of an inter-state co-operation mechanism to sort out many differences.
It was informed that the revised agenda for funds would be forwarded to Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, and that efforts will be made to ensure that there will be a budget provision of Rs 900 crore for a period of three years. In this scheme, states- UTs would have a 25% sharing and for special category states, this sharing would be 10% from the states.
With respect to a query from West Bengal, on the need for handholding for laboratory upgrade, CEO FSSAI informed that states would have the complete flexibility for upgrading and establishing laboratory infrastructure. He agreed to share various business models and any other related literature in this behalf with the respective states, leaving it to the states to opt for any model. As regards handholding, the CEO advised that the respective states may like to consult expert resources in NABL-accredited laboratories recognised by FSSAI, whose details were posted on the FSSAI website and the states were free to take their support in their initiatives.
Officials present also raised issue of availability of healthy food for children under the mid-day meal scheme. FSSAI appreciated the initiative and requested all states-UTs to give special preference to safety of food served under the mid-day meal scheme. CEO, FSSAI, appreciated the work done in states of Kerala and Goa for the mid-day meal scheme. While discussing the said agenda, it was suggested that a special category of mid-day meal caterers may be incorporated in the online FLRS system
Enforcement of FSS Act, 2006The CEO has suggested that in case of appellate tribunals, if the availability of a serving judge was becoming difficult, the states-UTs may consider utilising the services of retired judicial officers of the rank of district & sessions judges so that the adjudication process could progress without any hindrance.
Further, according to the minutes of the CAC meeting, the CEO suggested that in order to review the various issues related to licensing and registration including FLRS, a committee may be constituted with FSCs of Goa, Delhi, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu as its members. The suggestion was agreed and approved.
The CEO pointed out that states/UTs may utilise the services of the Common Service Centres for applying for online submission of applications for licensing and registration on payment of the prescribed service fees by the respective states for such CSCs. In this regard, he cited the example of ‘me Seva’ service in Andhra Pradesh. He mentioned that the licensees in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh were being allowed to use existing labels with the present licence number until December 31, 2015, as per an order No. 1(85)/Telangana/ 2014/FSSAI dated January 7, 2015. The same shall be applicable as a Standing Order for all future cases wherever geographical jurisdictions undergo a change either state-wise or district-wise by Government Order or by Court Order, up to December 31 of that year subject to a minimum of 180 days.
Responding to a query related to extension of date for conversion of existing licences/ registrations, Malik clarified that the date extension was only applicable for the conversion of existing licences/registrations under various other food related Orders/Acts to the new licences/registrations under the FSS Act, 2006. He stated that this did not prevent the states/UTs to take action against the offenders for violation of various clauses of the Act.
Meanwhile, CEO, FSSAI, pointed out that licences were still being issued under PFA Act, 1954, in West Bengal and requested the food safety commissioner, West Bengal, to review the matter as soon as possible.
On the issue of slaughter houses, the meeting deliberated on the deplorable conditions of slaughter houses and the unethical practices followed in this sector. It was mentioned that there were reports of illegal slaughter activities in several states. The members opined that licensing of slaughter houses may be taken care of by FSSAI and state governments as per the current regulations, but the enforcement of the rules and correct practices should be checked by the local urban bodies. It was noted that there would have to be a coordinated approach in each state for smooth operationalisation of the slaughter houses.
It was decided to constitute a committee comprising FSCs from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Kerala and Jammu and Kashmir to work on a set of good business and regulatory practices on the subject to be followed by all concerned.
Harmonisation of Indian Standards with Codex, International Best PracticesThe Advisor, FSSAI, briefed the meeting about the overall work done in the direction of harmonisation of standards with Codex. He informed that the work on safety standards part was almost completed and, in some cases, notification work had also started. He shared that about 11,000 standards were proposed to be placed before the Food Authority. He informed members that the whole process may take 6-8 months’ time for completion. He mentioned that the states-UTs may gear up for different kinds of new standards. The states-UTs will be intimated as soon as the process of harmonisation is completed. He stated that comments shall be invited once the draft standards were notified in the Official Gazette. He informed the CAC that the standards for alcohol and alcoholic beverages, once finalised, shall be intimated to all states/UTs so that they may suitably advise the excise departments in their states/UTs.
Sale of unlabelled packaged drinking waterThe CEO requested all food safety commissioners to create awareness among consumers regarding the standards and labelling requirements for packaged drinking water. He requested them to increase surveillance activities for the same. The issue of size of sample to be drawn for testing of water would be discussed at FSSAI and decision communicated to all states-UTs as soon as possible. The CEO suggested that the issuance of improvement notices to FBOs for non-adherence to the FSS Act 2006, Rules & Regulations, 2011, should be increasingly practised to give greater credibility to the Act.
The issue of licensing/registration of street food vendors was also discussed. The CEO suggested that states/ UTs, in coordination with local urban bodies, may demarcate identified sites for street food vendors and develop basic amenities like water supply, sewage connetions and garbage disposal units for them. He called upon all states/ UTs to create at least two/three such spots on pilot basis so as to have a demonstration effect. He suggested that the states/UTs may organise short training programmes for the street food vendors for about 1-2 hours so that their trade is not affected.
