The apex regulator FSSAI operates under the ambit of the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006. It is vested with the obligation to underpin science-based standards for food items and regulate their entire supply chain with relevant Food safety measures. The Act aims at advocating food safety at the national level. To serve such an objective, FSSAI must comply with an inclusive approach by using the insights of all stakeholders, that all prominent issues are thought out via a transparent consultative process and conflicting opinions reconciled in view of legit scientific evidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The decision of drafting food-related provisions was a landmark decision. These laws have increased the food safety that an end-user receives, and these laws have also boosted the industry’s growth<\/strong><\/em>[1]<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before the advent of the FSSAI, food safety has divided into different Acts in India; the repealed Acts were as follows:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954<\/p>\n\n\n\n After approving the FSS bill, these Acts\nwere repealed, and all the food laws and provisions were accumulated into one\nindividual Act, the Food Safety and Standards Act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)\nwas established in 2002, owing to the decade of food safety loopholes that led\nto the complete reconstruction of the European Union and food safety system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This brought ground-breaking changes in\nthe European Food Safety Laws and Regulation. EFSA serves the role of the data\ncollector and scientific advisory. It has standardized the food provisions to\navert any confusion relating to the food safety regulations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Under the FSS Act, 2006, and the\nprevailing FSS Regulation of 2011, food authority is accountable for drafting\nstandards for food articles and food safety regulations and tracking their\nimplementation in the nation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Various food norms have been released,\nand many more are required to be drafted and enacted to streamline the system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The process of standardization of food\narticles has developed over these years. The standards are primarily based on\nseveral key factors and scientific data for safeguarding the health of\nend-users. Many food norms have been based on the provisions cited under the\nPrevention of Food Adulteration Act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, there is an ensuing demand for examination of these norms, taking into accounts the following factors;<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Lately, the food authority has invited suggestions\nfrom the stakeholders on account of the concerns mentioned above. U\/S 16(3)(m),\nof the FSS Act, 2006, FSSAI is liable to advocate consistency with the\napplicable global standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This would ensure fair trade and the\navailability of hygienic and safe food to the end-users. The norms and other\nstandards adopted by the Codex Alimentarius Commission are the global\ninternational standards and also serve as a reference point within the WTO’s\nframework. The member nations are liable to apply the national treatment\nclause; all overseas food items shall be given treatment equal to those\napplicable to the local manufacturers and the market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n India is still in the development phase when it comes to developing relevant food safety measures to overcome sub-standard food items. Most of the food processing and manufacturing nations engaged with the exportation have to comply with the laws of the nations in which they seek to export; these manufacturers cum exporters naturally have to stay in line with Food Safety and Standards, strictly.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow Codex Alimentarius Commission is helping nations worldwide to improve\nfood safety measures? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n