Terming
the licensing and registration norms proposed by FSSAI and the proposal
to set nationwide alcohol limits in beverages a waste of time, and a
move to create good governance issues, the head of an Indian trade body
representing multinational alcohol brands has said that the Food
Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006 norms by the Food Safety and
Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) are not acceptable to alcoholic
beverage manufacturers.
Apart
from licensing and registration from alcohol manufacturers,
wholesalers, suppliers and traders, FSSAI has set draft standards for
the whole spectrum of alcohol beverages (defined by the Act as food) to
set the maximum permissible alcohol limits on the grounds of public
safety.
One of the opponents of FSSAI's licensing and registration standards for the alcohol industry is Pramod Krishna, President, Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC), which represents Diageo, Bacardi, Martini and Beam Global.
As per a report, he said, “We will take legal action to stop FSSAI from regulating alcoholic drinks. In relation to FSSAI's regulations, we have filed a writ in the Bombay High Court, because the Constitution mandates that alcoholic beverages are a state subject.”
“And for all practical purposes, they are governed by the excise laws of the states. If FSSAI comes into the picture, all the players in the alcohol industry would be harassed and would face a lot of problems,” Krishna added.
He added, “The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, was implemented by the Health Ministry, and our concern was that if our industry had two regulatory authorities, it would create problems of good governance.”
Although FSSAI is ready to bring all FBOs selling alcoholic beverages under the purview of licensing and registration, most FBOs have not obtained licences or registered, and are vehemently opposing the standards laid down by the apex food regulator.
One of the opponents of FSSAI's licensing and registration standards for the alcohol industry is Pramod Krishna, President, Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC), which represents Diageo, Bacardi, Martini and Beam Global.
As per a report, he said, “We will take legal action to stop FSSAI from regulating alcoholic drinks. In relation to FSSAI's regulations, we have filed a writ in the Bombay High Court, because the Constitution mandates that alcoholic beverages are a state subject.”
“And for all practical purposes, they are governed by the excise laws of the states. If FSSAI comes into the picture, all the players in the alcohol industry would be harassed and would face a lot of problems,” Krishna added.
He added, “The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, was implemented by the Health Ministry, and our concern was that if our industry had two regulatory authorities, it would create problems of good governance.”
Although FSSAI is ready to bring all FBOs selling alcoholic beverages under the purview of licensing and registration, most FBOs have not obtained licences or registered, and are vehemently opposing the standards laid down by the apex food regulator.
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