Government Launches New Initiatives To Enhance Healthcare & Ease of Doing Business in India
Union Ministers of State for Health and Family Welfare have unveiled three significant initiatives aimed at improving healthcare services and promoting ease of doing business in India. These initiatives include a virtual National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) assessment for Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAM); a dashboard which will help national, state and district health institutions and facilities in quickly monitoring compliance with respect to Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) and taking actions accordingly; and a spot food licence and registration initiative for food vendors.
FSSAI Seeks Public Input on Food Testing Manuals
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is inviting public comments on Manual of Methods of Analysis of Foods – Metals and Minerals and Manual of Methods of Analysis of Foods – Sweets & Confectionary including Sweetening Agents. Interested parties can submit comments and suggestions by July 30, 2024.
FSSAI Proposes Streamlined Food Import Clearance Fee
The Basic Food Import Clearance Fee (BFICF) would replace existing fees with a single, standardized charge of Rs. 8400 + applicable GST per Bill of Entry (BoE). This fee would cover the cost of visual inspections, laboratory testing, and other processes required by the FSSAI. An individual Importer will pay a uniform basic fee amount to FSSAI for individual BoE, irrespective of the fact whether the same is referred by ICEGATE for FSSAI scrutiny procedure or not.
Government Imposes Stock Limits on Wheat to Control Prices and Prevent Hoarding
In a bid to ensure food security and curb price hikes, the Government of India has imposed stock limits on wheat across the country. This move comes into effect immediately from June 24, 2024 and will remain in place until March 31, 2025. The new limits apply to traders, wholesalers, retailers, big chain retailers, and processors across all states and union territories.
Removal of Licensing Requirements, Stock Limits and Movement Restrictions on Specified Foodstuffs (First Amendment) Order, 2024
Pulses namely Tur and Chana, including Kabuli Chana, shall have, for a period up to 30th September, 2024, prescribed stock limits for all States and Union Territories.
FSSAI Notifies Additional NABL Accredited Laboratories for Western and Southern Region
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has added to its list of laboratories accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL). These laboratories are notified for the purposes of carrying out analysis of food samples taken in accordance with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
FSSAI Seeks To Increase Maximum Content Of Esters In Fruit Wines
The present draft amendment specifically seeks to enhance the maximum content of esters expressed as ethyl acetate (g/l of absolute alcohol). However, this enhancement is restricted to fruit wine other than grape wine. The level has been increased from 2.0 g/l of absolute alcohol to 3.0 g/l of absolute alcohol. The level of esters expressed as ethyl acetate for all other wines remains unchanged.
FSSAI Strengthens Measures to Remove Unsafe Food from Market
If a primary lab report finds a sample unsafe, the FSSAI directs Designated Officers (DOs) or Central Licensing Authorities (CLAs) must prohibit the Food Business Operator (FBO) from selling the unsafe food product, and must initiate food recall in specified cases. Such timely removal of unsafe food products is vital for safeguarding public health.
FSSAI Mandates Use of Approved Test Methods For Testing Fortificants In Fortified Rice Products
The Authority has urged all FSSAI-approved food testing laboratories to use specific FSSAI-approved methods when testing iron, vitamin B9 (Folic Acid), and vitamin B12 in fortified rice (FR), fortified rice kernels (FRK), and vitamin-mineral premix for FRK. Laboratories with existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) based on FSSAI methods have four months, ie.. till October 11, 2024, to officially include these FSSAI methods in their accredited scope.
FSSAI Notifies NABL Accredited Laboratories for Western and Southern Region
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has modified its list of laboratories accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL). These laboratories are notified for the purposes of carrying out analysis of food samples taken in accordance with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
