The Food Safety and Standards Act under the Union ministry of health and family welfare is going to be implemented three months from now. The Act replaces nine food regulations under Union ministries. Among the regulations are milk and milk products order, fruit products order and the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, said Anil Jauhri, advisor to the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies under the Quality Council of India, a public-private partnership with 50% central government stake.
“The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has been set up under the act to ensure that safety measures are followed when processing food,” Jauhri told reporters on the sidelines of a seminar on food regulations and voluntary certifications organised in the city on Friday.
G Balachandran, an IAS officer, was appointed the chief executive officer of the body a month ago, but the chairman and members are yet to be appointed. “The members will consist of representatives of consumer and scientific organisations, industry and farmer bodies and ministries—mainly agricultural, consumer affairs and commerce,” he said. “The food Act also requires the National Accreditation Board for Testing & Calibration Laboratories to accredit food laboratories across the country,” said Jauhri.