Answer:

In 2006, Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA) was passed with twin objectives of introducing a single statutory body relating to food and providing for a scientific development of food processing industry. It replaced multiple laws existing for the sector. However, a recent survey by FICCI has identified implementation bottlenecks in food safety laws as the third critical area of concern for food processing sector.

Some of the important limitations are:

♤ Slack implementation of Act.

♤ Ill trained and understaffed FSSAI personnel.

♤ Majority of laboratories in India do not have accreditation, and only few laboratories are fully equipped to cater domestic and export regulatory testing needs of food industry.

♤ Act extends its jurisdiction to all persons by whom food business is carried or owned under the definition of Food Business Operators, which is a huge base to cover.

♤ Onus of contamination lies with the manufacturer. However, most of the times they don’t have control over raw food which is bought from outside and may be contaminated.

As a result, checks are not done or done with much delay and red tape. The regulations have resulted in arbitrary rulings, discouraging industry investors. Lack of uniform and accurate food security apparatus in place puts industry in the line of litigations. The recent controversy related to standards in Maggi and different results from different labs for the same product does not augur well for the industry.

Hence, the need of the hour is to strengthen the implementation of the Act and ensure:

♤ Manpower development and up gradation of laboratories in terms of infrastructure and sophisticated equipment.

♤ Setting up of state-of-the-art advanced centers of excellence to undertake analytical research work to cater to requirements of industries, policy makers, regulators and consumers.

♤ Residue-monitoring plans for determining presence of toxic contaminants.

♤ Collaborative effort between Centre, states and private sector along with effective consumer awareness.

♤ Encouraging contract farming so that industry can maintain its own raw material standards without blame shifting.

All this will help in attaining global standards in food safety and make the sector an attractive destination for entrepreneurs.