Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)

August 1, 2023

GS Paper II Indian Polity and Governance

Context:

FSSAI directed states and union territories to intensify surveillance of fresh produce due to mounting concerns over high concentrations of harmful pesticides and chemicals in vegetables and fruit sold in markets.

About FSSAI:

FSSAI has been established under Food Safety and Standards , 2006 which consolidates various acts & orders that have hitherto handled food related issues in various Ministries and Departments.
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Functions:
- Framing of Regulations to lay down the Standards and guidelines in relation to articles of food and specifying appropriate systems of enforcing various standards thus notified.
- Laying down mechanisms and guidelines for accreditation of certification bodies engaged in certification of food safety management systems for food businesses.
- Laying down procedure and guidelines for accreditation of laboratories and notification of the accredited laboratories.

Governance of FSSAI:

The FSSAI consists of a Chairperson and twenty-two members, with one-third of the members being women.
The Chairperson of FSSAI is appointed by the Central Government.
It is assisted by Scientific Committees and Panels in setting standards and the Central Advisory Committee in coordinating with enforcement agencies.