The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a directive to state food safety commissioners and regional directors, emphasizing the need for stringent actions to ensure the availability of safe and wholesome food for consumers.
In a recent communication, FSSAI has urged these authorities to conduct regular enforcement sampling of food products across the country. The directive mandates that any food found to be unsafe as per the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006, should be prohibited from sale and recalled from the food supply chain to protect consumers.
Key actions outlined in the letter include:
- Immediate Prohibition and Recall: If food samples are found unsafe in primary tests, state authorities must immediately prohibit their sale and initiate a recall.
- Enforcement and Appeals: If food is declared unsafe by the Primary Food Laboratory, the Designated Officers (DOs) and Central Licensing Authorities (CLAs) must take prompt action. Even if the Food Business Operators (FBOs) appeal, and the Referral Laboratory confirms the primary findings, the unsafe food must be recalled. If no appeal is filed within the stipulated time, the recall process should also be initiated.
- Coordination with FSSAI: State authorities can recommend the FSSAI CEO or the State/UT Commissioner of Food Safety to direct the immediate recall of unsafe food products under the Food Safety & Standards (Food Recall Procedure) Regulations, 2017.
This move aims to strengthen food safety measures and ensure that consumers are protected from unsafe food products.