FSSAI Compliance Services

What Is Food Safety Regulatory Compliance Services?

In recent times, the regulatory environment is rapidly changing. Government is taking initiatives to protect human health and environment. The government has made strict rules and regulations for the food operators and also taking strict steps for the enforcement of due diligence policies. In India, food businesses are monitored by the regulatory authority Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The smooth functioning of food businesses is ensured by FSSAI. The Food Safety & Standards Act 2006 is enacted by the government to improve the performance of the food industry. The primary purpose of the Act is to regulate the functioning of food operator, online seller, manufacturer, distributor, and importer also.

All the businesses which are engaged in food-related activities are required to obtain food license from the prescribed authority. Obtaining food license depends upon the various factors such as turnover, the scale of business and the type of activity. In India, to carry any type of food business, it is required to comply with all the guidelines set by the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Regulatory authority ensures that there is no compromise with the quality of the food. It must be ensured by the food operators that food is not harmful to the consumers in any way.

Here are the following specified criteria for obtaining food license under the rules & regulations of the government:

FSSAI Basic registration

Food businesses whose turnover is below 12 Lakhs Annually.

FSSAI State license

Food businesses whose turnover is more than 12 lakhs but below 20 crores annually.

FSSAI Central license

Food businesses whose turnover is more than 20 crores annually.

Food Compliance services include

• Development of Food Safety Programs
• Preparation for External Audit / Internal Auditing
• Staff Training of Food Safety and Hygiene procedures
• Products Specifications
• Assistance with non-conformances
• Quality Assurance
• Approved Supplier program

Responsibilities Of Food Safety And Standard Authority Of India

Regulations

To ensure the provisions of FSSAI Act.

Advisories

To issues advisories on matters related to food and food supplements.

Alerts

To issue alerts with notifications on general awareness and concerns related to food safety.

Mandatory  recalls

To issues notice to food business operators to recall products that are contaminated, unsafe, sub-standard for human consumption.

Responsibilities of Food Business Operators

• Awareness training;
• Food Safety Management System (FSMS) plan: It empowers FBOs to exercise better control on all compliance aspects of the product lifecycle in accordance with the business plan.
• Voluntary compliance programs.
• Schedule 4 compliance.
• Audits.
• Record-keeping.
• Product compliance.
• Recall planning or traceability.
• Licensing or registration.
• Annual returns.
• Renewals.
• Modifications.

Who Are Food Business Operators?

Here is a list of Food Business Operators:

• Packaged Food Manufacturers
• Processors
• Repackers
• Storage providers
• Transporters
• Distributors
• Importers and exporters
• Wholesalers and retailers
• Hotels, restaurants, canteens and catering services providers in Corporate Companies, Schools, Colleges, Hospitals, Government Institutions.
• E-retailers

Food Items

List of items included in food

• Beverages .
• Nutraceuticals
• Food supplements
• Foods for special dietary uses and special medical  purpose
• Ayurvedic products

Required Compliances Under FSSAI

• It is required to obtain food license and to comply with raw material standards.
• There is a need to comply with the following compliance:
• Product and operational compliance with schedule 4 audits
• Packaging and labeling compliance
• Supply chain compliance
• Advertising compliance
• Other regulatory compliance

RISKS INVOLVED Due To Noncompliance With FSSAI Act.

Risk will be involved in following cases

• In case of raw-material non-compliance.
• In case of unfair practices and providing unhealthy food: contaminants, microbes, pesticides, metals etc.
• In case of non-standard packaging, misbranding and labeling defects.
• In case of misleading advertisements.
• In case of non-standardized products.