FSSAI discusses conduct of Product Recall Pilot using recall portal service

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) recently held a Product Recall Pilot meeting under the Chairmanship of V N Gaur, CEO, FSSAI.According to a press note released by the body, Gaur welcomed the representatives from various food industries and organisations, while Ravi Mathur, CEO, GS1, described the objectives of Global Product Recall Portal. The Product Recall Pilot is going to be conducted using recall portal service involving food producers, modern trade retailers and FSSAI to test the efficacy of recall prior to finalisation of recall regulation by FSSAI.

The FSSAI has prepared draft guidelines on food recall procedures, primarily to guide food business operators to carry out a food recall through an efficient, rapid identification as well as removal of unsafe food and to inform the consumers about the potentially hazardous food in the market. In order to overcome the drawbacks in the Internal Product Recall System set up by the food producers and retailers, and to benefit the Indian food industry and exports through enhanced market shares with the implementation of Standardised National Recall Portal. Through this mechanism, the entire Indian food sector would be able to inspire greater trust and confidence of Indian and international consumers, buyers, regulators etc. in their products and their ability to manage food crisis.
A presentation-cum-demonstration on expected benefits of Standardised National Recall Portal and recall of a product on FSANZ Portal was delivered by the Global Food Traceability and Recall Expert, GS1, global office, John Keogh. GS1 is a non-profit organisation under ministry of commerce, Government of India. GS1 develops global standards for goods and services and foster cooperation and encourage information sharing. GS1 works with WHO, ISO, CEN, ICCBBA, UN-CEFACT, World Customs Organisation and so on. ISO focusses on products safety and recall standards, and identify and recall notifications. OECD is developing a Global Recall Data pool for G2G notifications. GS1 is engaged with the US Government in regulating traceability, food security, consumer safety and recall. Also various aspects related to international concerns on food safety, ways and means to measure the recall problems, Global Standards to bridge the gap to sense and complete the recall, issues and concerns with the outdated methods of recall, recall / withdrawal notification process, its classification, information to recipient and details of GS1 recall net were focussed.
Towards the end, Gaur listed out the roles and responsibilities of the Regulator, GS1 India, and food producers and retailers. The regulators will oversee pilot and facilitate weekly meeting with pilot participants. GS1 will provide the technology framework for Global Recall Portal Service and facilitate training on best practices and usage of the portal. Food producers and retailers will provide dedicated resources and a single point of contact, for the entire duration of the pilot and initiate mock recalls using recall portal. The duration of the pilot was proposed to be 3 to 4 weeks from the date of the meeting. 

source: fnbnews