FSSAI to Introduce Nationwide Online Licensing System

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India would soon be introducing online Licensing system for entire the country. Under the FSS Act Rules and regulations, all the Food Business Operators who are having an annual turnover of Rs 12 lakhs or more would need to take license, depending upon the business falling within central or state licensing category. For business turnover upto Rs 12 lakh, Registration shall be required with the local authorities. A Licensing process is already in testing phase for central licensing and shortly it will start in Delhi Government. CEO FSSAI, Sh. V.N Gaur informed the Central Advisory Committee (CAC) Meeting, held in New Delhi recently that eventually full time functionaries will be required at Cutting edge levels to ensure implementation of FSS Act, Rules and Regulation2011. He noted that the erstwhile Prevention of Food Adulteration Act was ineffective primarily because of diffused responsibility amongst the regulators. State Commissioners Food Safety, senior officials from State Governments/UT’s, Officials of representative Ministries who are members of CAC (Ministries Of Agriculture(DAC, Deptt of Animal Husbandry, Dairy and Fisheries,) Consumer Affairs,( Deptt of Food Public Distribution) Food Processing Industries, Health and Family Welfare, MSME, Ministry of Science and Technology,(Deptt of Biotechnology) Environment and forest, Woman and child Development, Panchayati Raj), Representative of Trade bodies, Experts and Directors of Food Authority participated in the day long deliberations. The State governments shared their progress made towards enforcing the various provisions of FSS Act i.e. appointment of Functionaries (Food Safety Officers, Designated Officers, Adjudicating Officers) under the Act, constitution of Appellate tribunals, strengthening of Laboratories. The Food Safety and Standards Act has come into force w.e.f 5th Aug 2011. Consequent upon notification of FSS Rules, Regulations 2011 is under process. CEO FSSAI, Sh. V.N Gaur also informed that to implement the law in letter and spirit, fund requirements for 12th Plan have been projected to the Government. There are heads under which State governments and UTs shall be called upon to implement schemes viz e-governance, Awareness generation, Trainings and Laboratory Strengthening etc. He said there will be special focus on Food Safety plans at the level of local bodies and Panchayat. Shri Gaur added that entire Registration of food vendors /operators is a challenge for which regulations are required to be issued but Registering authority must be within easy reach of the Food Business Operators. A Food Safety Helpline (Toll free 1800112100) has become operational however similar structure is desirable at state government/UT’s. He shared that a National Workshop for HR requirements on food safety sector at national level is proposed in November 2011. Top Institutions dealing with Food Safety including industry and auditing agencies and experts will be invited for deliberations. 

source: pib.nic.in