FSSAI asks states to step up surveillance for safety of oil, milk, water
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Ashwani Maindola, New Delhi
June 30 , 2015
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Y S Malik, CEO, FSSAI, has stressed upon safety of commodities such as
oil, milk and water, and called upon states and Union territories to
step up surveillance activities in this regard.
According to the
minutes of the 13th CAC (Central Advisory Committee) meeting, held in
January released by FSSAI recently, the CEO shared the details of
discussions held by Standing Committee of Parliament for Consumer
Affairs and its serious concerns about wide-spread incidence of milk
adulteration and steps required to effectively address the menace. He
added that milk, water and edible oils were three ‘big ticket items’
which were consumed by almost all sections of consumers and the need for
increased surveillance of the safety of these items across all
states-UTs in the country.
It was observed that special attention
should be given to foods which were consumed in large quantities by
large segments of the population and those who were at greater risk
through sub-standard or adulterated food. Also raised in the meeting
was the issue of infrastructure, which the authority wanted to be
improved for better implementation of FSS Act. The authority urged the
states to improve infrastructure, so that the Act could be implemented
in its true spirit. Also suggestions were made for establishment of an
inter-state co-operation mechanism to sort out many differences.
It
was informed that the revised agenda for funds would be forwarded to
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, and that efforts will be made to
ensure that there will be a budget provision of Rs 900 crore for a
period of three years. In this scheme, states- UTs would have a 25%
sharing and for special category states, this sharing would be 10% from
the states. With respect to a query from West Bengal, on the need for
handholding for laboratory upgrade, CEO FSSAI informed that states
would have the complete flexibility for upgrading and establishing
laboratory infrastructure. He agreed to share various business models
and any other related literature in this behalf with the respective
states, leaving it to the states to opt for any model. As regards
handholding, the CEO advised that the respective states may like to
consult expert resources in NABL-accredited laboratories recognised by
FSSAI, whose details were posted on the FSSAI website and the states
were free to take their support in their initiatives.
Officials
present also raised issue of availability of healthy food for children
under the mid-day meal scheme. FSSAI appreciated the initiative and
requested all states-UTs to give special preference to safety of food
served under the mid-day meal scheme. CEO, FSSAI, appreciated the work
done in states of Kerala and Goa for the mid-day meal scheme. While
discussing the said agenda, it was suggested that a special category of
mid-day meal caterers may be incorporated in the online FLRS system Enforcement
of FSS Act, 2006The CEO has suggested that in case of appellate
tribunals, if the availability of a serving judge was becoming
difficult, the states-UTs may consider utilising the services of retired
judicial officers of the rank of district & sessions judges so that
the adjudication process could progress without any hindrance.
Further,
according to the minutes of the CAC meeting, the CEO suggested that in
order to review the various issues related to licensing and registration
including FLRS, a committee may be constituted with FSCs of Goa, Delhi,
Gujarat and Tamil Nadu as its members. The suggestion was agreed and
approved.
The CEO pointed out that states/UTs may utilise the
services of the Common Service Centres for applying for online
submission of applications for licensing and registration on payment of
the prescribed service fees by the respective states for such CSCs. In
this regard, he cited the example of ‘me Seva’ service in Andhra
Pradesh. He mentioned that the licensees in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh
were being allowed to use existing labels with the present licence
number until December 31, 2015, as per an order No. 1(85)/Telangana/
2014/FSSAI dated January 7, 2015. The same shall be applicable as a
Standing Order for all future cases wherever geographical jurisdictions
undergo a change either state-wise or district-wise by Government Order
or by Court Order, up to December 31 of that year subject to a minimum
of 180 days.
Responding to a query related to extension of date
for conversion of existing licences/ registrations, Malik clarified that
the date extension was only applicable for the conversion of existing
licences/registrations under various other food related Orders/Acts to
the new licences/registrations under the FSS Act, 2006. He stated that
this did not prevent the states/UTs to take action against the offenders
for violation of various clauses of the Act.
Meanwhile, CEO,
FSSAI, pointed out that licences were still being issued under PFA Act,
1954, in West Bengal and requested the food safety commissioner, West
Bengal, to review the matter as soon as possible. On the issue of
slaughter houses, the meeting deliberated on the deplorable conditions
of slaughter houses and the unethical practices followed in this sector.
It was mentioned that there were reports of illegal slaughter
activities in several states. The members opined that licensing of
slaughter houses may be taken care of by FSSAI and state governments as
per the current regulations, but the enforcement of the rules and
correct practices should be checked by the local urban bodies. It was
noted that there would have to be a coordinated approach in each state
for smooth operationalisation of the slaughter houses.
It was
decided to constitute a committee comprising FSCs from Delhi, Uttar
Pradesh, Goa, Kerala and Jammu and Kashmir to work on a set of good
business and regulatory practices on the subject to be followed by all
concerned.
Harmonisation of Indian Standards with Codex,
International Best PracticesThe Advisor, FSSAI, briefed the meeting
about the overall work done in the direction of harmonisation of
standards with Codex. He informed that the work on safety standards part
was almost completed and, in some cases, notification work had also
started. He shared that about 11,000 standards were proposed to be
placed before the Food Authority. He informed members that the whole
process may take 6-8 months’ time for completion. He mentioned that the
states-UTs may gear up for different kinds of new standards. The
states-UTs will be intimated as soon as the process of harmonisation is
completed. He stated that comments shall be invited once the draft
standards were notified in the Official Gazette. He informed the CAC
that the standards for alcohol and alcoholic beverages, once finalised,
shall be intimated to all states/UTs so that they may suitably advise
the excise departments in their states/UTs. Sale of unlabelled
packaged drinking waterThe CEO requested all food safety commissioners
to create awareness among consumers regarding the standards and
labelling requirements for packaged drinking water. He requested them to
increase surveillance activities for the same. The issue of size of
sample to be drawn for testing of water would be discussed at FSSAI and
decision communicated to all states-UTs as soon as possible. The CEO
suggested that the issuance of improvement notices to FBOs for
non-adherence to the FSS Act 2006, Rules & Regulations, 2011, should
be increasingly practised to give greater credibility to the Act.
The
issue of licensing/registration of street food vendors was also
discussed. The CEO suggested that states/ UTs, in coordination with
local urban bodies, may demarcate identified sites for street food
vendors and develop basic amenities like water supply, sewage connetions
and garbage disposal units for them. He called upon all states/ UTs to
create at least two/three such spots on pilot basis so as to have a
demonstration effect. He suggested that the states/UTs may organise
short training programmes for the street food vendors for about 1-2
hours so that their trade is not affected.
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