The Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TNCC) has sought corrective actions for serious implications of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and Rules and Regulations, 2011, enforced by the government on food processing industries and has submitted memorandum to V N Gaur, CEO, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), in this regard.
S Rethinavelu, senior president, TNCCI, said: "Even though the object of the Food Safety and Standards Act is laudable, the Act which is being enforced after repealing the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, which has been in force throughout the country for over 60 years, is replete with a number of inconsistent, incongruous and deleterious provisions and impracticable procedures which will severely impact food business operators throughout India including food processing industries."
He adds: "The Act is replete with innumerable severe and unrealistic conditions and requisites which are certain to dislodge 19 lakh food processors and 1.5 crore people engaged in food related businesses in our country."
He also urged Gaur to take up the matter with Ghulam Nabi Azad, union health minister, for implementation of this new Act and Regulations with such stringent, harsh and impracticable provisions only after three years i.e., from April 2014 after incorporating necessary changes and also after creating adequate awareness and providing requisite training not only to traders and producers of food-related products in cities and villages but also the enforcing officials.
Source: Food & Beverage News
