Food Safety Standards and Initiatives Reviewed at 41st CAC Meeting
One of the recommendations made during the meeting was that food business operators (FBOs) would no longer be required to renew their licenses annually. Instead, licenses can now be issued for up to 5 years.
FSSAI appoints Designated Officers for Central Licensing
The Order specifies that the Designated Officers have been appointed for Central Licensing under the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011.
FSSAI issues Bid for Hiring of service Provider for Indirect Taxation
The Bid document was issued on 9th August, 2023. The Bid provides the opening and closing date and time, contract period, minimum turnover requirements, years of past experience needed, and exemptions for Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) and startups.
FSSAI issues SOP for obtaining endorsement of Vegan Logo
Once approval in Form B is granted as per the guidelines, Food Business Operators (FBOs) shall apply for endorsement of Vegan Logo to the concerned Licensing Authority on the FoSCos portal.
FSSAI revises Fees and Timeline for use of Pre-Printed Packaging Material
FSSAI has taken a decision to provide a final one-time permission to FBOs seeking to use pre-printed packaging material which are non-complying with the FSS (Labelling & Display) Regulation, 2020 and its amendments. The permission is granted until 31st December 2023.
FSSAI issues advisory on Shelf life of Fortified Rice and Fortified Rice Kernel
FSSAI has instructed all FSSAI notified laboratories not to mention the date of expiry or any information related to shelf life of FR and FRKs until further orders.
FSSAI clarifies on Procedures for Sending of Referral samples to National Food Laboratories
FSSAI has issued an advisory stating that if a food sample has already been tested in any of the primary notified laboratories under private partnership, regardless of their geographical location, the appeal/referral sample shall not be sent to the corresponding National Food Laboratory.
Extension of time-period for compliance of provision of warning statement for ‘Pan Masala’
As per directions dated 22nd May, 2023, Pan Masala must have a declaration that “The warning statement must cover 50% of front-of-pack of the label”. The enforcement of this requirement is deferred for a period of 3 months from 1st August, 2023.
FSSAI to monitor Sale of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables in Markets
To combat the menace of pesticide overuse during the pre-marketing treatment of fruits and vegetables, authorities are now taking proactive steps to address the situation. A request has been made to the respective States and Union Territories (UTs) to maintain strict vigilance on Food Business Operators (FBOs) involved in manufacturing, repacking, and selling fresh, surface-treated, and minimally processed fruits & vegetables.
Manual of Methods of Analysis of Foods – Fish and Fish Products
The newly approved manual serves as a pivotal resource for testing and analyzing fish and fish products in laboratories across the country. It supersedes the previous test methods for Fish and Fish Products.
