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The recent report alleging the multinational company Nestle for adding unhealthy amounts of sugar to its baby products has raised concerns about the lax implementation of Food Safety Regulations in India. A study by International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) and the Switzerland-based investigating agency, Public Eye, has alleged that the company added 2.7 g of sugar per serving to its baby food brand, Cerelac, destined for developing countries, including India. Indian Food safety standards regulator FSSAI has begun investigations regarding the violations of food safety standards.
What are the operational Food Safety regulations in India?
Food Safety- Food safety refers to the procedures, practices, and regulations implemented to ensure that food is safe for consumption. It encompasses all measures taken to prevent foodborne illnesses, contamination, and other hazards that may arise during the production, processing, storage, distribution, and preparation of food.
Food Safety Regulator in India- Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is the food safety regulator in India. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is an autonomous statutory body established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSS Act). Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India is the administrative Ministry of FSSAI. Its headquarter is in Delhi.
Role of FSSAI- The main role of the authority is to regulate and monitor the manufacturing, processing, distribution, sale and import of food while ensuring safe and wholesome food to the consumers.
Food Safety Regulations in India
| Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006 | The act aims to establish a single reference point for all matters relating to food safety and standards, by moving from multi- level, multi-departmental control to a single line of command. The Act established FSSAI and the State Food Safety Authorities for each State. |
| Food Safety and Standards Rule, 2011 | The act provides for Food Safety Appellate Tribunal and the Registrar of the Appellate Tribunal, food safety and standards on Organic Food and regulates Food Advertising in India. The rule prohibits and restrict sales or approval for Non- Specified Food and Food Ingredients. It also covers Licensing and Registration, Packaging and Labelling of Food Businesses, Food Product Standards and Food Additives Regulation. |
What are the challenges to food Safety in India?
1. Rampant Adulteration- Widespread and rampant adulteration of food products which includes milk, spices, and edible oils, remains a grave challenge to food safety in India. For ex- A 2012 study conducted by the FSSAI across 33 states found that milk in India was adulterated with diluted water, detergent, fat and even urea.
2. Feeding of ’empty calories’- Major packed food brand products contain items that have no nutritive value like added sugar. These are major causes of diabetes, cardio vascular diseases and obesity in India.
3. Weak Enforcement and Accountability- The enforcement of food safety regulations is often lax in India. Many food businesses operate without proper licenses and continue to compromise on safety standards.
4. Corrupt practices on part of FMCG players- The Fast Moving Consumer Goods industry players are often found to indulge in violation of the labelling requirements about the ingredients in their products. For ex- Maggi noodles ban due to high levels of lead and MSG.
5. Lack of Infrastructure and Resources- The food safety standards domain in India suffers from the challenge of shortage of laboratories, trained personnel, and funds necessary for regular and stringent food inspections. For ex- Use of synthetic sweetener in cake leading to death of teenage girl in Punjab.
6. Limited Public Awareness- A significant proportion of the Indian population remains unaware of food safety practices, including proper food handling, storage, and hygiene. For ex- Over use of pesticides and fruit ripening agents in agriculture cause cancer.
7. Complex Regulatory Framework- The complex regulatory framework for food safety makes it difficult for small and medium enterprises businesses, to adhere to the necessary standards. These also lead to regulatory gaps and inconsistencies in enforcement.
What are the consequences of the Decline in Food Safety Standards in India?
The deteriorating state of food safety and the violation of food safety standards in India have far reaching consequences, which are mentioned below-
1. Deterioration of Public Health- Consumption of contaminated or adulterated food leads to a range of public health issues like foodborne illnesses, gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular diseases, obesity and diabetes. The impact is particularly severe on vulnerable populations like children and the elderly.
2. Economic Implications- Contaminated and unsafe food products often leads to massive product recalls, loss of consumer trust, and damage to the reputation of the food brand. For ex- Recall of Maggi after test results confirmed of high levels of lead and MSG.
3. Undermining of ‘Make in India’ Initiative- The decline in food safety standards become a significant roadblock in India’s effort to promote indigenous manufacturing and boost exports under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. Safety concerns deter both domestic and international consumers from embracing Indian products. For ex- Rejection of Indian agricultural and food products from EU markets on account of violation of food standards. Recent ban on MDH spices in Hong Kong.
4. Environmental Impact- The use of substandard and unsafe agricultural practices harm the environment through soil and water contamination. The overuse of pesticides and the mishandling of food waste contribute to ecological degradation.
| Read More- In FSSAI index, nearly all major states slip on food safety |
What are the initiatives taken by the government and FSSAI to promote Food Safety?
| Eat Right India Movement | This movement has been launched to transform the country’s food system in order to ensure safe, healthy and sustainable food for all Indians. It is aligned to the National Health Policy 2017 with its focus on preventive and promotive healthcare. |
| Eat Right Station Certification | It is awarded by FSSAI to railway stations that set benchmarks (as per the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006) in providing safe and wholesome food to passengers. |
| Food Hygiene Rating Scheme | It is a certification system developed by FSSAI for food businesses supplying food directly to consumers, either on or off-premise. |
| Food Safety Mitra scheme | The scheme aims to create an ecosystem of Food Safety Mitras (FSM) who will help Food Business organisations (FBO) with licensing and registration, training and auditing hygiene among others |
| State food safety index | It is an index developed by FSSAI to measure the performance of states on five significant parameters of food safety- compliance, Human resources and institutional data, Food testing- infrastructure and surveillance, training & capacity building and consumer empowerment |
What should be the way Forward?
1. Strengthen Infrastructure and Resources- There must be an increase in the investment in food safety infrastructure, including laboratories, training facilities, and regulatory bodies. Adequate funding and resources are needed to conduct regular inspections and ensure compliance with safety standards.
2. Simplification of Regulations- The regulatory framework for food safety should be made more accessible and business-friendly. Simplification and streamlining of regulations can encourage compliance, especially among small and medium-sized enterprises.
3. Strict Enforcement and Accountability- Regulatory bodies must rigorously enforce food safety standards. This includes imposing stringent penalties for violations and taking legal action against non-compliant businesses. For ex- Specification of an upper limit for added sugars.
4. Enhancement of Public Awareness- A comprehensive public awareness campaign on food safety should be launched targeting both consumers and producers regarding the importance of food safety.
5. Encouragement of Responsible Agricultural Practices- Promoting responsible and sustainable agricultural practices can reduce contamination risks at the source. Encouraging the use of organic farming, reducing pesticide usage, and implementing proper waste management are essential steps.
The controversy around Nestle should lead to debates on the quality of products in the market for children and catalyze the tightening of rules and plugging regulatory gaps.
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