View source for Food Safety and Standards Authority of India

{{short description|Government body in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox government agency
|parent_agency       = [[Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (India)|Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India]]
|agency_name         = Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
|logo                = FSSAI logo.png
|logo_width          = 200px
|logo_caption        = 
|formed              = August 2011<ref>{{cite web|title=Enforcement of FSS Act|url=http://www.fssai.gov.in/Portals/0/Pdf/Press_Release(August%202011_08-08-2011).pdf|publisher=FSSAI|access-date=2 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130118095146/http://fssai.gov.in/Portals/0/Pdf/Press_Release(August%202011_08-08-2011).pdf|archive-date=18 January 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> 
|jurisdiction        = [[India]]
|headquarters        = [[New Delhi]]
|employees           = 
|budget              =
|chief1_name         = Rita Teaotia<ref>{{cite web|title=Authority of FSSAI|url=https://www.fssai.gov.in/home/about-us/organisation-directory.html}}</ref> 
|chief1_position     = [[Chairperson]]
|chief2_name         = Arun Singhal<ref>https://fssai.gov.in/cms/directory.php</ref>
|chief2_position     = [[Chief Executive Officer]]
|website             = {{url|http://www.fssai.gov.in}}
}}

'''Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)''' is a statutory body established under the [[Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (India)|Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India]].<ref name="fssaiintro">{{cite web|title=Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)|url=http://www.fssai.gov.in/AboutFSSAI/introduction.aspx|publisher=Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, Government of India|access-date=2 April 2012}}</ref> The FSSAI has been established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which is a consolidating statute related to food safety and regulation in India.<ref>[http://www.fssai.gov.in/dam/jcr:7f9fb43a-095c-4384-a0d8-be24f66ce7a3/FOOD-ACT.pdf Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006]</ref><ref name=fssaiintro /> FSSAI is responsible for protecting and promoting [[public health]] through the [[regulation]] and supervision of [[food safety]].<ref name=fssaiintro />

The FSSAI is headed by a non-executive Chairperson, appointed by the Central Government, either holding or has held the position of not below the rank of Secretary to the Government of India.<ref>Section 5(3) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.</ref>  Rita Teaotia is the current Chairperson for FSSAI and Shri Arun Singhal is the current Chief Executive Officer for FSSAI.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/companies/people/arun-singhal-appointed-as-ceo-fssai-11590766468076.html|title = Arun Singhal appointed as CEO FSSAI|date = 29 May 2020}}</ref>

The FSSAI has its headquarters at [[New Delhi]]. The authority also has 6 regional offices located in [[Delhi]], [[Guwahati]], [[Mumbai]], [[Kolkata]], [[Cochin]], and [[Chennai]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Regional Laboratories|url=http://www.fssai.gov.in/reasional_ofice.aspx|publisher=FSSAI|access-date=2 April 2012}}</ref> 14 referral laboratories notified by FSSAI, 72 State/UT laboratories located throughout India and 112 laboratories are [[National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories|NABL]] accredited private laboratories notified by FSSAI.<ref>{{cite web|title=Referral Laboratories|url=http://www.fssai.gov.in/Portals/0/Pdf/referral_laboratory(15-02-2012).pdf|publisher=FSSAI|access-date=2 April 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=List of Laboratories|url=http://www.fssai.gov.in/lab.aspx|publisher=FSSAI|access-date=2 April 2012}}</ref>

In 2021, with the aim of benefitting industries involved in manufacturing, handling, packaging and selling of food items, FSSAI decided to grant perpetual licenses to restaurants and food manufacturers on the condition that they file their returns every year.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Staff|first=HospiBiz|title=Food Safety and Standards Authority of India to grant perpetual licenses to restaurants {{!}} HOSPIBIZ|url=https://hospibiz.com/fssai-to-grant-perpetual-licences-to-food-restaurants/|access-date=2021-04-06|language=en-US}}</ref>

==History ==
FSSAI was established by Former Union Minister Dr Anbumani Ramadoss, Government of India on 5 August 2011 under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 which was operationalized in year 2006.  The FSSAI consists of a chairperson & 22 members. The FSSAI is responsible for setting standards for food so that there is one body to deal with and no confusion in the minds of consumers, traders, manufacturers, and investors.<ref name="fssaifaqs">{{cite web|url=http://www.fssai.gov.in/Portals/0/Pdf/FAQ.pdf|title=FAQ's on FSSA 2006|publisher=Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, Government of India|access-date=10 October 2016}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://www.fnbnews.com/Top-News/fssai-calls-for-eoi-for-nomination-of-a-scientific-committee-and-panels-38921|title=FSSAI calls for EoI for nomination of a scientific committee and panels|date=7 May 2016|publisher=FnBnews.com}}</ref> [[Ministry of Health and Family Welfare|Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India]] is the Administrative Ministry of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/fssai-to-formulate-new-policies-for-food-safety/1/599086.html|title=FSSAI to formulate new policies for food safety|date=18 February 2016|publisher=IndiaToday}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{cite web|url=http://mohfw.nic.in/index3.php?lang=1&level=0&deptid=75|title=Drug & Food Division(FSSAI/CDSCO)|publisher=Ministry of Health & Family Welfare}}</ref>  The following are the statutory powers that the FSS Act, 2006 gives to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).<ref name=":3">{{cite web|url=http://www.swaniti.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Food-safety-in-India-1.pdf|title=Food safety in India - Regulatory framework and challenges|publisher=swaniti.in|access-date=10 October 2016}}</ref>
# Framing of regulations to lay down food safety standards
# Laying down guidelines for accreditation of laboratories for food testing
# Providing scientific advice and technical support to the Central Government
# Contributing to the development of international technical standards in food
# Collecting and collating data regarding food consumption, contamination, emerging risks, etc.
# Disseminating information and promoting awareness about food safety and nutrition in India

== State Food Safety Index - SFSI==
Recently, The Union Minister for Health and family welfare has released the third state food safety index or together with the launching of 19 mobile food testing vans to support the food safety ecosystem across the country.

'''About SFSI:'''
The index is developed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India and it measures the 5 significant parameters of Food Safety. It includes Compliance, training and capacity building and consumer empowerment, human resource and institutional data, food testing (surveillance and infrastructure). The index is generated with a definitive framework as per the food and safety standards.

'''Ranking:'''
Below are the rankwise results of the SFSI
Large States	Gujrat, Kerala, Tamil Nadu
Small States	Goa, Meghalaya, Manipur
UT’s	        J&k, Delhi, Andaman Nicobar

Food safety standards are necessary to ensure that people have access to a sufficient amount of safe food. Food-borne illnesses are harmful to people and are generally not visible with naked eyes. It is caused by virus, parasites, bacteria, or presence of any chemical substances that enter the body through contaminated water or food.
It has been estimated that over 4,20,000 people around the world die every year by eating such contaminated food. Children under 5 years of age carry nearly 40% of the food borne disease with nearly 125000 deaths annually. The food safety organization plays a critical role in ensuring that food stays hygienic and safe in each stage right from production to harvest, processing, storage, distribution, and finally at the retail outlet.
<ref>[https://www.iastarget.com/daily-current-affairs-details/daily-current-affairs-september-2021/daily-current-affairs-dca-24-09-2021 State Food Safety Index - IAS TARGET 26 September 2021]</ref>

== Location ==
FSSAI is located in 5 regions <ref>{{cite web|title=FSSAI Head Office|url=http://www.fssai.gov.in/Contactus.aspx|publisher=FSSAI}}</ref>
# Northern Region – With head office at New Delhi.
# Eastern Region.
# North Eastern Region.
# Western region.
# Southern Region.

==Regulatory framework==

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India is a statutory body under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The Food Safety and Standards Act (FSS), 2006 is the primary law for the regulation of food products. This act also sets up the formulation and enforcement of food safety standards in India. The FSSAI appoints food safety authorities on the state level.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ministry of Law and Justice|url=http://www.fssai.gov.in/portals/0/pdf/food-act.pdf|publisher=FSSAI|access-date=12 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303205616/http://www.fssai.gov.in/Portals/0/Pdf/FOOD-ACT.pdf|archive-date=3 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The FSSAI functions under the administrative control of the [[Ministry of Health and Family Welfare]].<ref>{{cite web|title=FSSAI to formulate new policies for food safety|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/fssai-to-formulate-new-policies-for-food-safety/1/599086.html|publisher=India Today|date=8 February 2016}}</ref> The main aim of FSSAI is to
# Lay down science-based standards for articles on food 
# To regulate the manufacture, storage, distribution, import, and sale of food
# To facilitate the safety of food

The FSS Act is a bucket for all the older laws, rules and regulations for food safety. The FSS Act took 7 older acts into one umbrella.
# [http://lawmin.nic.in/ld/P-ACT/1954/A1954-37.pdf Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954] <ref>{{cite web|title=The Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954|url=https://indiankanoon.org/doc/32969400/|publisher=India Kanoon}}</ref>
# [http://www.old.fssai.gov.in/Portals/0/Pdf/fpoact.pdf Fruit Products Order, 1955] <ref>{{cite web|title=Fruit Products Order, I 955|url=http://www.consumeradvice.in/Regulations/fruitaidacts.pdf|publisher=Consumer Advice|date=8 February 2016}}</ref>
# Meat Food Products Order, 1973 <ref>{{cite web|title=Meat Food Products Order, 1973|url=http://agmarknet.nic.in/order1973.htm|publisher=agmarknet.nic.in}}</ref>
# [http://www.old.fssai.gov.in/Portals/0/Pdf/vegetableoils.pdf Vegetable Oil Products (Control) Order, 1947]
# [http://www.old.fssai.gov.in/Portals/0/Pdf/Edible%20Oil%20Packaging.pdf Edible Oils Packaging (Regulation) Order 1988] <ref>{{cite web|title=The Vegetable Oil Products (Regulation) Order – 1998|url=http://www.crirec.com/2011/01/the-vegetable-oil-products-regulation-order-1998/|publisher=Crirec|date=17 January 2011}}</ref>
# [http://www.old.fssai.gov.in/Portals/0/Pdf/solvent_Extracted.pdf Solvent Extracted Oil, De- Oiled Meal and Edible Flour (Control) Order, 1967] <ref>{{cite web|title=The Edible Oils Packaging (Regulation) Order, 1998|url=http://admis.hp.nic.in/ehimapurti/edib1998.htm|publisher=Crirec|date=17 January 2011}}</ref>
# [http://www.old.fssai.gov.in/Portals/0/Pdf/mmpo.pdf Milk and Milk Products Order, 1992].<ref>{{cite web|title=Milk and Milk Product Order 1992|url=http://dahd.nic.in/related-links/milk-and-milk-product-order-1992|publisher=Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries}}</ref>

==Departments==
# Import Division
#Eat Right India Movement
# International Co-operation
# Regulatory Compliance Division (RCD)
# Food Safety Management System (FSMS) Division
# Risk Assessment and R&D Division (RARD)
# Information Education Communication (IEC) Division
# Regulation and Codex Division
# Quality Assurance/Lab Division
# HR Division
# Standards Division
# IT Division

==Research and quality assurance ==

===Research===
FSSAI has set certain guidelines for food safety research. The Research and Development division is responsible for research with the following objectives:
# Generate new knowledge that would help in continuously updating and upgrading food safety standards that are compatible with international organizations 
# Carry out evidence-based studies for improving or building Rules and regulations.

===Quality Assurance===
FSSAI has been mandated to perform various functions related to the quality and standards of food. These functions in addition to others include "Laying down procedure and guidelines for notification of the accredited laboratories as per ISO17025."<ref>{{cite web|title=Addresses and contact details of NABL accredited food testing laboratories for analysis of food sample taken under FSS Regulation-for 1 Year|url=http://www.fssai.gov.in/Portals/0/Pdf/Notified_LAB_LIST_Region_wise(23-05-2012).pdf|publisher=fssai.gov.in}}</ref> The FSSAI notified laboratories that are classified as:
# FSSAI Notified [[National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories|NABL]] Accredited Labs - 112 <ref>{{cite web|title=FSSAI Notified NABL Accredited Food Testing Laboratories|url=http://foodsafetyhelpline.com/2014/06/fssai-notified-nabl-accredited-food-testing-laboratories/|publisher=Food Safety Helpline|access-date=28 June 2014}}</ref>
# State Labs - 72
# Referral Labs - 14 <ref>{{cite web|title=Food Safety and Standard Authority of India - Order|url=http://www.fssai.gov.in/Portals/0/Pdf/referral_laboratory(12-08-2013).pdf|publisher=Food Safety Helpline|access-date=28 June 2014}}</ref>

==Standards==

Standards framed by FSSAI are prescribed under Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulation, 2011, Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulation, 2011 and Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, [[Toxins]], and Residues) Regulations, 2011.

The FSSAI has prescribed standards for the following:
* [[Dairy products]] and analogues <ref>{{cite web|title=Shri G. S.G. Ayyangar appointed CEO, FSSAI|url=https://fssai.gov.in/cms/directory.php}}</ref>
* Fats, [[oils]] and fat emulsions 
* [[Fruits]] and vegetable products 
* [[Cereal]] and cereal products 
* Meat and meat products 
* [[Fish]] and fish products 
* Sweets & confectionery 
* Sweetening agents including honey 
* [[Salt]], [[spices]], condiments and related products 
* [[Beverages]], (other than dairy and fruits & vegetables based)
* Other food product and ingredients 
* Proprietary food 
* Irradiation of food
* Fortification of staple foods i.e. vegetable oil, milk, salt, rice and wheat flour/maida<ref>{{cite web |author=FSSAI |url=https://fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Gazette_Notification/Gazette_Notification_Pulses_Grains_Maize_14_08_2018.pdf|title=Fortification of staple foods}}</ref>

The development of standards is a dynamic process based on the latest developments in [[food science]], food consumption pattern, new food products, and additives, changes in the processing technology leading to changed specifications, advancements in food analytical methods, and identification of new risks or other regulatory options.

Formulation of standards of any article of food under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, involves several stages. After consideration by the Food Authority, the draft standard is published (Draft notified), for inviting stakeholder comments. Since India is a signatory to the WTO-SPS Committee, Draft Standard is also notified in WTO. Thereafter, taking into account the comments received from the stakeholders, the Standard is finalized and notified in the Gazette of India, and implemented.<ref>{{cite web|title=FSSAI appoints new members for scientific panels |url=http://www.nuffoodsspectrum.in/inner_view_single_details.php?page=&content_type=panel&vrtcl_panel_nm=People&ele_id=NOR_54ddc493c6fb54.77406831|publisher=Nuffoods Spectrum|access-date=13 February 2015}}</ref>

==Consumer outreach==

Consumers can connect to FSSAI through various channels. A GAMA portal for concerns regarding misleading claims and advertisements too is operated.<ref>{{cite web|title=Grievances Against Misleading Advertisements|url=http://gama.gov.in/Default.aspx|publisher=gama.gov.in}}</ref>

== Applicable FSSAI License ==
FSSAI issues three types of license based on the nature of the food business and turnover:
*Registration: For Turnover less than ₹12 Lakh
*State License: For Turnover between ₹12 Lakh to ₹20 Crore
*Central License: For Turnover above ₹20 Crore

Other criteria like the location of the business, number of retail stores, etc. are needed while evaluating the nature of the license application.

== Training ==
'''[https://fostac.fssai.gov.in/fostac/index Food Safety Training and Certification (FoSTaC)]''' is a training and certification body of a FSSAI. FoSTaC Training is mandatory for all state and central licensed food businesses.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mandatory training of all central and state licensed FBOs under FSS Act, 2006-reg.|url=https://archive.fssai.gov.in/dam/jcr:ad80605a-88f3-4167-be69-473fd0992795/Letter_FBOs_Training_08_02_2018.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> There are 19 different type of courses conducted by FoSTaC<ref>{{Cite web|title=COURSES UNDER FOSTAC|url=https://sites.google.com/view/fostac-fssai/home|url-status=live}}</ref>.  After completing the FoSTaC training participants will be called as Food Safety Supervisor (FSS). FoSTaC certificate is valid for 2 years.

==Projects==
In 2009 the FSSAI instigated a pilot project ''Safe Food, Tasty Food'' to improve the safety and quality of food being served at restaurants and other outlets, implementing agencies being local municipal authorities and industry associations (FICCI, CII, AIFPA and [[National Restaurant Association of India|NRAI]]).<ref>{{cite web|date=2009|title=Pilot Project on: Safe Food, Tasty Food|url=https://qcin.org/PDF/TFSF/safe-food-scheme1.pdf|access-date=2021-04-29}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
<!--NO LINKS TO COMMERCIAL WEBSITES AND BLOGS-->
*{{Official website|http://www.fssai.gov.in}}
*[http://fssai.gov.in/home/fss-legislation/food-safety-and-standards-act.html Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006]
'''* [https://www.iastarget.com/daily-current-affairs-details/daily-current-affairs-september-2021/daily-current-affairs-dca-24-09-2021 IAS TARGET Daily Current Affairs]'''

{{authority control}}

[https://sites.google.com/view/fostac-fssai/home FoSTaC simplified]  

[[Category: Food safety organizations]]
[[Category: Government agencies of India]]
[[Category:Consumer protection in India]]
[[Category: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare]]
[[Category: Food and drink in India]]
[[Category: Food processing industry in India]]
[[Category: Regulatory agencies of India]]