FSSAI Proposed: Adulterant may lead to life imprisonment and penalty up to Rs 10 lakh

Introduction – Food Adulteration Act

The Food safety and standards authority of India (FSSAI) had issued a draft of amendments to the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act and recommended a stringent punishment of life imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 10 lakhs to the person nabbed in case of food adulteration.

This act was passed in 2006 and notified in 2011. If any person found in the case of adding adulterant to food with the intention to cause his death or renders for human consumption shall be punishable by giving him 7 years of imprisonment. Further, it may be extended to life imprisonment along with the fine not less than 10 lakhs. No matter whether it causes actual injury or not. Moreover, it is also in the light of the supreme court. The new consumer protection bill which is still pending in the parliament also proposes the same stringent punishment.

There is an increase in the punishment if a person tried to obstruct, impersonate, intimidate, threaten, or assault a food safety officer. The food regulator FSSAI had recommended imprisonment of not less than 6 months to two years. Besides, a penalty up to Rs. 5 lakh. Currently, the imprisonment is for only 3 months and a penalty up to Rs. 1 lakh.

What is FSSAI?

FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) is an autonomous body that has been established under the food safety and standards Act, 2006. It consolidates acts and orders related to food safety and regulation in India. FSSAI has been created to protect and promote public health through the regulation and supervision of food safety for human consumption. Its headquarters are in New Delhi. The FSSAI Authority basically has six regional offices situated in Delhi, Guwahati, Mumbai, Kolkata, Cochin, and Chennai. Moreover, it has 14 referral laboratories notified by FSSAI, 72 State/UT laboratories located all over India. NABL laboratories are 112 accredited private laboratories notified by FSSAI.

What are the types of FSSAI License?

Obtaining Food Licenses or FSSAI License is mandatory for all the Food Business Operators (FBOs). There are three types of FSSAI License which are required by a businessman to carry on business smoothly. These are given below:

• Central License
• State License
• Basic Registration

Documents required for FSSAI Registration

There are certain documents that are required at the time of the FSSAI Registration. These are the following:

• Aadhar Card
• PAN Card
• Photograph (Passport Size)
• Water bill or Electricity bill or Gas Bill
• IEC Code (for central license)
• CA declaration (if the turnover is up to 18/19 crores)

The procedure for obtaining FSSAI Registration

Following are the steps that will help you to get FSSAI Registration:

• Application Form (Form A) must be submitted at the initial point to the food and safety department.
• Whether the application is accepted or rejected you will get to know within 7 days from the application date and the fact has to be intimated to the applicant in writing.
• When the application will be accepted then you will be granted a registration certificate containing the registration number along with the photo of the applicant.
• The registration certificate should be prominently displayed by FBO at the place of business during business hours.

FSSAI Registration Requirements

It is required for the FBO involved in the small-scale food business. The following are the requirements:

• FBO having an annual turnover of 12 lakhs (not more)
• Petty Retailer engaging in food products
• A person who is manufacturing or selling any Food articles
• The temporary stallholder selling food
• Individual who is distributing food of any social gathering excluding a caterer.