With pressure building up on food business operators (FBO) to adhere to the norms set by the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, the Malabar Chamber of Commerce On Wednesday organised an awareness programme for those in the business on the nuances of the Act. District Food Safety Officer P.K. Aleyamma explained to the businessmen the important areas of the Act that may make a difference in the food business sector in the country.
Same platform
Ms. Aleyamma said that the purpose of the Act was to bring all the laws pertaining to food safety on the same platform to avoid any confusion. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) will be the single appellate authority with reference to any issues pertaining to food in the country. The Act helps the vendors with information regarding what is to be done to make their products safe. The penalisation in case of non-compliance of the Act ranges depending upon the severity of the offence, she said.
The Act will put a check on manufacturers that make tall claims regarding their food products.
There are strict regulations regarding licensing and registration for food business. Come July, food product manufacturers are expected to print the FSSAI emblem as well as their Food licence number on every food packet, Ms. Aleyamma explained.
She also explained what to do and what not to do when it comes to safety of food and explained the difference between safe food and unadulterated food. She said that a person would have to face six months to life time imprisonment as well as fine ranging from Rs.5 lakh to 10 lakh for serious offences of the act that may result in harm to human life. Around 50 businessmen took part in the programme.
Food product manufacturers are expected to print FSSAI emblem and their food licence number on every food packet from July
