Some major reforms have been
introduced by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) .
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has approved these, it is
understood.
As part of the "Ease of Doing Business", the
registration certificates and Licences for small businesses will be issued on a
permanent basis, meaning, there will be no need for periodic renewals. This
will reduce compliance costs, paperwork and the need for repeated renewals by
the Food Business Operators (particularly micro and small enterprises) which
has significant costs for these small entities that dot India's food
landscape.
The regulator has also raised the Threshold Turnover limits for
basic Registrations - thus ensuring that more small and medium businesses can
now operate with simple Registration instead of more complex State Licenses.
The old limit was up to Rs 12 lakh turnover. It has been raised to up to Rs 1.5
Cr - reducing paperwork and fees.
There was also relief for the street vendors - those who are
registered with Municipal Corporations or Town Vending Committees are
now "deemed registered" with FSSAI. No separate FSSAI registrations
will be needed by them.
Another hallmark is the introduction of a technology-driven
risk-based inspection system. Inspections will now be done on factors like type
of food handled, past compliance records and third-party audit results, rather
than routine checks for all operators.
OUR VIEW:
FSSAI has been in the news over last 4 months on steps taken to
ensure the food economy complies with best practices, for the safety of
consumers. Our Regulatory News Summary have captured that news and discussed in
detail. Be it ordering removal of ORS labels by companies not
certified by WHO, or taking actions against adulterated food products, or
asking Companies to submit scientific evidence of
claims on food products, the recent initiatives are aimed at making the process
simple for not just the small and medium businesses, but also ensuring that the
main focus of FSSAI shifts to "focus more effectively on oversight,
facilitation and enforcement of food safety regulations within their
jurisdictions."
As FSSAI rightly said ""These reforms represent a
decisive step towards reinforcing the government's commitment to ensuring safe
food for citizens while promoting a transparent, efficient and
business-friendly regulatory environment for the food industry,"
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Related Article
Link:https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/cons-products/food/fssai-licences-registrations-to-have-perpetual-validity-no-renewals-needed/articleshow/129560281.cms?from=mdr
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