What is the full form of FSSAI
FSSAI: Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
FSSAI stands for Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. The organization belongs to Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India. Its role is to lay down scientific standards for food articles to monitor, inspect and regulate the manufacturing, storage, distribution, sales and import of food articles to ensure availability of safe and healthy food for human consumption.
FSSAI is established under the Food and Safety Act, 2006. It is headquartered in New Delhi, India. It has eight regional offices in Delhi, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Mumbai, Kolkata, Guwahati, Cochin and Chennai. The agency also has 4 referral and 72 local food testing laboratories to test the adulterated foods. As of 2017, Sh Ashish Bahuguna is the Chairperson and Sh Pawan Kumar Agarwal is the Chief Executive Officer of the FSSAI.
The organization has the authority to conduct chemical tests on the food products of different companies. It also takes action against the companies who are not maintaining the required nutrition and quality in their food products. For example, ban on Maggi noodles by FSSAI.
FSSAI is authorized to issue licenses to Food Business Operators who adhere to its policies and guidelines. This license is now mandatory for everyone who is into a food business such as food manufacturer, food trader and restaurant owner.
Key functions of FSSAI
- Framing of regulations to lay down standards for food safety
- Issuing guidelines for accreditation of food testing laboratories
- To provide technical support and scientific advice to the Central Government
- Conducting survey to collect data regarding food consumption and food contamination
- Disseminate information to promote awareness about food safety
- Conduct training programs to train the people who are in food businesses or want to start a food business.
- Assist in the development of international technical standards for food, sanitary etc.
- Establish an information network in the country to provide reliable information to the public and consumers related to food safety.