The registration drive by the apex food regulator, the Food Safety Standard Authority of India, to regulate food industry under the new food regulation has remained a non-starter.
Just around 23 lakh out of five crore food business operators in the country have enrolled under the legislation in the last one year. Also, only around two lakh food licenses have been issued so far against the target of 50 lakh. This has compelled the FSSAI to extend its registration and license drive by six more months.
As per the FSSAI regulations of 2011, all the food business operators including small-time food vendors have to be registered with the local authorities. Those having annually turnover of above Rs 11 lakh have to procure food license to operate their services in the absence of which their business would become illegal.
The registration and license of the food operators ended on August 4. One of the objectives of the enforcement is to ensure that registration/ licensing provisions are fulfilled and food items are safe, hygienic, wholesome and free of contaminants. However, FSSAI officials are not too happy with the response.
In many States, food business operators are opposing the new regulations and have termed them impractical. The food officials admit that majority of the States do not have adequate manpower as well as monetary resources to move to the new food regime.
“No wonder that States like Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, Assam, Goa and Gujarat beside Northeastern states including Assam, Manipur and Meghalaya did not even bother to attend the crucial meeting of the Central Advisory Committee of the Authority held mid-last month to review the progress of the registration process and State’s preparedness,” the official said. Same was the case with the Union Territories like Andaman & Nicobar Island, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu and Lakshadweep. They also did not attend the meet.
While Bihar is yet to create a separate department of food safety, Chandigarh has set up the Food Safety Appellate Tribunal, but not appointed its presiding officer.No laboratory is functioning in Jharkhand as no food analyst has been notified while Kerala is yet to notify adjudication officer and establish Appellate Tribunal so far. However, Rajasthan has appointed food safety commissioner while additional district magistrate has been notified as Adjudicating Officer for 33 Districts. The amended FSSAI Act was notified last year and food business operators were given one year time to apply for conversion/renewal of registration/licence. Those in the food supply chain who have to obtain the license include food importers, hotels, restaurants, clubs/canteens, caterers, transporters, storage establishments, processing units.
Source:http://www.dailypioneer.com
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