License Norms under Food Safety Act made easy

The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 which is widely being oppossed by the trading community across the Country for its several obnoxious and irrelevent provisions has gained the attention of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FS&SAI) which has given many relaxations in obtaining License from the Authorities by Food Business Operators. This follows a meeting between Trade Leaders of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) with Shri K. Chandramouli, Chairman of the FS&SAI and other Authority members. The meeting was held at New Delhi on 9th May, 2012.

CAIT National President Mr. B.C. Bhartia and Secretary General Mr. Praveen Khandelwal today informed that in pursuance of the issues raised by the CAIT, the FS&SAI has relaxed norms for obtaining license by issuing advisory according to which the blue print / layout plan, name and list of equipment and machinery and analysis report of water from recognized /public health laboratory is mandatory only for manufacturing and processing unit and all other food operators have been excluded. The earlier prescribed condition of name of authorized representative of laboratory who collected the sample and date of collecting sample has been removed. The condition of pesticide residues report of water shall be required only for packaged drinking water and carbonate water units. The  condition of source of water and treatment plant has been removed. The condition of No Objection Certificate from Municipality and local body is no more mandatory.  The condition of No Objection Certificate from State Pollution Control Board has been removed. The Photo identity and address proof issued by Govt. Authority has been made optional. The proof of possession of premises is no more mandatory. Similarly recalling of material sold wherever applicable has been made optional. The list of workers with their medical fitness certificates need not to be given  along with application but it may be available with the units and they will be under obligation to show the same at the time of inspection.

Both Mr. Bhartia and Mr. Khandelwal further said that some more relaxations in Rules and Regulations of the said Act