All fret and no excitement on FSSA for the Food industry

New Delhi, May 23 (UNI) Food industry players are an anxious lot over the implementation of Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA) due to the massive penalties proposed, difficulty in meeting certain processed food standards when raw material violates norms and lack of information.

A study conducted by industry chamber Ficci states that though the implementation of FSSA envisages to curb Inspector Raj-led corruption, unify multiple laws, and lead to science-based standards, hopes have been diluted amongst the food processing industry.

The reform process of the country's food safety administration comes with the prospect of garnering a higher share in the increasing world food trade. The advent of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) have led to increasing recognition and adoption of food safety measures, said the study.

Ficci opined that the food industry recognises and welcomes the proposals for the establishment of a new authority; the FSSA and reorganisation of scientific support to the food chain through the establishment of an independent risk assessment body.

It said the industry was also supportive of the new Food Law, merging eight separate Acts and a new clarification of the relevant ministries' responsibilities.

The prominent benefits of implementation of the Act as anticipated by industry are: The prominent problem areas identified by industry players in the study for the government are 70 per cent of the respondents feel there would be inter-ministerial/departmental resistance to give up their turf/portfolios while 65 per cent express concern over creation/rationalization of infrastructure The study adds that 60 per cent foresee manpower constraints, both in terms of quality as well as quantity.

Some other aspects identified to be worked on for effective implementation of the Act include introducing and maintaining transparency, conducting awareness programmes for industry and regular training programmes for regulators, said Ficci.

The small and medium scale industries do not have the technical expertise to track the regulatory changes, which will make it difficult for them to identify the procedural and compliance changes brought in by the Act. Hence, the study calls for inclusive mandate with the industries on all FSSA-related activities.

Calling on the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (nodal ministry) to launch certain awareness and capacity building programmes, the study believes these will be extremely beneficial in enabling effective implementation of the Act.

Concerns have also been expressed in the study over meeting certain processed food standards. These may be difficult to comply with considering the fact that primary producers are kept out of the ambit of the Act.

This leads to a situation wherein final product needs to meet all norms whether or not the raw materials conform to standards. In certain cases, removal of harmful constituent is technically not feasible, states the Ficci study.

Further, the study notes that processing water supply to potable water standards would be unaffordable and technically non-feasible for all food-processing industries.

The fear of FSSA to create multiplicity of authorities in alcoholic beverages sector is clear and present, states the study.

Manufacturers of alcoholic beverages feel that implementation of the Act would pose problems, it adds.

UNI