Balasubramanian Swaminathan (cbedit@imaws.org)
In an era where food safety is paramount to public health, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) stands as a beacon of assurance, steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding the nation’s food supply. With its vigilant oversight and innovative initiatives, FSSAI continues to redefine the standards of excellence in regulating the food industry.
Amidst evolving consumer demands and global challenges, FSSAI remains at the forefront, orchestrating a symphony of regulatory measures, technological advancements, and consumer awareness campaigns. In this article, we delve into the dynamic landscape of food safety in India, exploring the pivotal role played by FSSAI in shaping a healthier, more resilient future for all.
Inoshi Sharma, Executive Director, FSSAI, in an exclusive interview for Kitchen Herald speaks on how FSSAI’s tireless efforts resonate across the entire food ecosystem, ensuring that every bite we take is a testament to safety, quality, and trust. Edited Excerpts
India’s food landscape is changing rapidly with online deliveries and street food gaining popularity. How is the FSSAI adapting its strategies to ensure food safety in these non-traditional settings?
To address the evolving food landscape, FSSAI is implementing several strategies. This includes revising regulations to encompass online food delivery platforms, enhancing surveillance and monitoring mechanisms, and conducting awareness campaigns targeting both consumers and food businesses. Additionally, FSSAI is targeting training of 25 Lakh food handlers under FSSAI’s Food Safety Training & Certification [FoSTaC] training program in the country to make them aware on the food hygiene related matters.
Moreover, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), has requested States/Union Territories (UTs) to develop 100 food streets in 100 districts across the country. This initiative is being taken up as a pilot project to create an example for other such food streets to come up across the country for ensuring hygienic and safe food practices.
Additionally, in order to aware/educate and facilitate the understanding of the requirements under the law and thus to ensure the compliance and assurity to provide safe and wholesome food to consumers, without compromising on quality and safety with evolving trends and advancement in food business, FSSAI releases advisories and guidelines from time to time along with convening quarterly meetings with different sectors of the industry as well as consumer organizations to keep Food Businesses abreast about emerging issues and regulatory changes.
With growing concerns about food adulteration, what innovative initiatives is the FSSAI taking to empower consumers with information about the food they eat, like origin tracking or QR code-based details?
The Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020 and the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulation, 2018 has comprehensively outlined the information to be included on the labels of food products and what cannot be endorsed through the labels or any mean of displaying information, advertisement etc., thus, to stop misinformation, respectively.
To tackle concerns regarding food adulteration, FSSAI has launched various innovative initiatives. One such initiative involves implementing QR code-based labelling on food products, enabling consumers to access detailed information about the product’s origin, ingredients, and nutritional value.
Food service establishments having central license or outlets at 10 or more locations shall mention the calorific value against the food items displayed on their menu and shall also provide information viz., nutritional information, ingredient information, and specific requirements prescribed under the provisions of schedule II of the Labelling & display regulation 2020. The E-commerce business are also required to display these information on the menu displayed on their website/ app.
Technology is a powerful tool. How is the FSSAI leveraging mobile apps, data analysis, or blockchain technology to improve food safety inspections and enforcement across the vast Indian food supply chain?
FSSAI has in-place digital tools for inspection and sampling namely FoSCoRIS which helps field officers in recording their observations along with capturing real-time data during inspections such as images, uploading of records etc. Captured Sample Details, are then forwarded to Labs through FSSAI’s InFoLNet portal for uploading of lab test reports. These lab test reports are then made available digitally to all concerned jurisdictional authorities. The historical data regarding food business establishments helps authorities to take rationalised approach while conducting enforcement activities.
Further, FSSAI has formulated Risk Based Inspection Schedule [RBIS] for conducting inspection. This schedule has been implemented in Food Safety Compliance System [FoSCoS] for authorities to make targeted approach towards high risk food establishments for conducting inspections.
Food Safety Connect App has been developed to connect consumers with the Authority and is available to the consumers for lodging their Food Safety Grievances from anywhere in the country and get its timely and satisfactory resolution.
A dedicated team looks after these portals helping both consumers and FBOs with their concerns and efficient implementation of the mandate under the law.
Building a food-safe nation requires collective action. How is the FSSAI engaging with food businesses, restaurants, and street vendors to cultivate a culture of food safety practices?
FSSAI is actively engaging with food businesses, restaurants, and street vendors to foster a culture of food safety practices through various initiatives. This includes conducting training programs and workshops to educate food handlers on best practices in food safety and hygiene. Moreover, FSSAI is leveraging digital platforms and social media channels to disseminate information and raise awareness about food safety among consumers and food businesses alike.
Further, in order to educate and train the FBOs with basic and advanced skills in food safety, the Authority has empanelled training agencies for conducting training under with Food Safety Training & Certification (FoSTaC) programme. FSSAI had initiated the FoSTaC programme in July, 2017. The FoSTaC programme is aimed at creating a pool of Food Safety Supervisors (FSS) (can be from the employees of the FBOs), who are trained in good hygiene and manufacturing practices as per requirements in Schedule 4 of Food Safety and Standards Licensing and Registration Regulations, 2011.
Apart from that, FSSAI has launched initiative namely ‘Hygiene Rating’ for Restaurants and food service establishments under which businesses can get themselves audited and obtain Hygiene Rating. This approach helps them to lift the level of hygiene and overall compliance without waiting for the authorities to conduct inspection.
Online food delivery platforms offer convenience, but also introduce new risks. What specific food safety regulations and collaborations with online platforms is the FSSAI implementing to address these challenges?
Since 2018, FSSAI has issued directions to e-commerce food business operators [online food delivery platforms]. These directions clearly states that e-commerce FBOs shall only list FSSAI Licensed / registered food businesses on their platform. Further, the said directions also stipulate the condition for shelf-life of the delivered food. In case of food delivered from restaurant / food service establishment, only fresh food is to be delivered.
E-Commerce FBOs have been advised to get their food handlers / last mile delivery persons trained under FSSAI’s FoSTaC program. E-Commerce platforms are also advised to display the hygiene ratings of the listed restaurants / food service establishments. In addition to that FSSAI has its surveillance and enforcement program for restaurants and food service establishments.
Children are particularly vulnerable to foodborne illnesses. How is the FSSAI promoting food safety education in schools and communities to build a generation of informed and empowered food consumers?
FSSAI has taken various initiatives under the umbrella initiative of Eat Right India to promote Safer, Healthier and Sustainable food habits in the country at various places.
These initiatives are Eat Right School, Eat Right Street Food Hubs, Eat Right Places of Worship, Eat Right Campuses, Eat Right Stations. These initiatives not only promote safer and sustainable food practices amongst the stakeholders but also help / educate consumers on making right / informed choices while consuming foods.
Eat Right School programme aims at creating awareness about food safety, nutrition & hygiene among school children, and through them among the community at large. Since, food habits are developed early in life, adequate coverage of food and nutrition both in curriculum and extracurricular activities at the school level is essential.
In line with the above, several resources have been developed to engage with students and teachers. Aimed at adoption of scientific and credible content into existing curriculum to increase outreach through education boards at the National & State level, FSSAI has developed ‘The Yellow Books’ to inculcate right eating habits. These are age appropriate in two volumes with each of them targeted at children from grade 1-8. Additionally, books like DART, testing kit like Food Safety Magic Box helps in understanding the concept and combating adulteration through simpler testing methods, that can be performed in school labs under supervision of teacher. Awareness and training programs are also carried out through Mobile labs in the schools/ educational institutions by the respective state FDAs disseminating information on several initiatives and objectives of the FSSAI, while conducting training & awareness sessions on various aspects of Food Safety.
School Authority shall ensure that no person shall sell or offer for sale including free sale, or permit sale, of food products high in saturated fat or trans-fat or added sugar or sodium (FHSS) in school premises or campus (within 50 metres of a school Campus).
What are the top 3 plans of FSSAI in the coming days for the restaurants and bakeries?
FSSAI consistently underscores the importance of food handler training in food hygiene, alongside conducting audits of restaurants and other food service establishments through the ‘Hygiene Rating’ Scheme. Through MOUs with states, FSSAI allocates funds for conducting Hygiene Ratings, providing first-mover advantage to food businesses without incurring costs. Additionally, FSSAI remains committed to consumer awareness efforts through various ‘Eat Right’ initiatives. These resources are readily accessible on FSSAI’s website and eatrightindia.gov.in.
At present, No. of Hygiene Rating Auditors are 396 which will increase over the period of time to put more emphasis on improving the hygiene standard of restaurants and Food Service Establishments. The validity of Hygiene Rating Certificate is 2 Years, i.e. a FSE has to again undergo hygiene rating audit to get the fresh rating.
Another initiative is to provide Fostac training to the food handlers in the are of food safety and hygiene.