More reforms from FSSAI to boost "Ease of doing business"

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,"

Link- https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/cons-products/food/fssai-licences-registrations-to-have-perpetual-validity-no-renewals-needed/articleshow/129560281.cms?from=mdr