The Role and Structure of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India

Food safety is a cornerstone of public health, and in India, one organization stands at the forefront of ensuring that the food we consume is safe, wholesome, and of high quality. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, commonly known as FSSAI, serves as the nation’s apex regulatory body for all matters related to food safety and standards. Whether you run a small food stall or a large manufacturing unit, FSSAI plays a crucial role in how food reaches your plate.

Establishment and legal foundation 🔗

FSSAI was established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which consolidated various existing laws and orders that previously handled food-related issues across multiple ministries and departments. Before this unified framework, food safety in India was governed by multiple legislations including the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act (1954), Fruit Products Order (1955), Meat Food Products Order (1973), and several others. The FSS Act 2006 brought all these regulations under a single umbrella, creating one reference point for all food safety matters.

The authority was formally established on 5 September 2008, though its operations began effectively in 2011 after the notification of its Rules and key Regulations. This transition marked a significant shift from multi-level, multi-departmental control to a single line of command, emphasizing self-compliance over purely regulatory enforcement. FSSAI operates under the administrative control of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, with its headquarters located in New Delhi.

Organizational structure 🔗

FSSAI’s governance structure is designed to ensure comprehensive oversight over food safety across India. The authority is headed by a non-executive Chairperson, appointed by the Central Government, who holds or has held a position not below the rank of Secretary to the Government of India. Alongside the Chairperson, the Food Authority comprises 22 members, with a mandate that one-third of these members must be women.

The membership includes seven ex-officio members who are Joint Secretaries from key ministries such as Agriculture, Commerce, Consumer Affairs, Food Processing, Health, Legislative Affairs, and Small Scale Industries. Additionally, the authority includes representatives from the food industry, small-scale industries, and consumer organizations. This diverse composition ensures that FSSAI’s decisions incorporate perspectives from multiple stakeholders across the food ecosystem.

Regional presence 🔗

To effectively implement food safety regulations across the country, FSSAI maintains six regional offices located in Delhi (North), Guwahati (Northeast), Mumbai (West), Kolkata (East), Cochin and Chennai (South). The authority also operates through a network of laboratories, including 22 referral laboratories, 72 State and Union Territory laboratories, and 112 NABL-accredited private laboratories notified by FSSAI for food testing purposes.

Core functions and responsibilities 🔗

FSSAI’s mandate extends across the entire food value chain-from manufacturing and storage to distribution, sale, and import of food articles. The authority’s primary mission is to lay down science-based standards for food and ensure the availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption.

Regulatory functions 🔗

FSSAI frames regulations to establish standards and guidelines for food articles, specifying appropriate systems for enforcing these standards. The authority also lays down mechanisms and guidelines for accrediting certification bodies engaged in food safety management system certification. Another critical function involves establishing procedures for laboratory accreditation and notifying accredited laboratories for food testing.

Advisory and support role 🔗

Beyond regulation, FSSAI provides scientific advice and technical support to both Central and State Governments on matters directly or indirectly bearing on food safety and nutrition. The authority collects and analyzes data on food consumption, biological risks, contaminants, and pesticide residues in food products. It also identifies emerging risks and maintains a rapid alert system for food safety emergencies.

Awareness and capacity building 🔗

FSSAI is mandated to promote general awareness about food safety and standards among the public. This includes creating an information network across the country so that consumers, community organizations, and local bodies receive rapid, reliable, and objective information about food safety issues. The authority also provides training programmes for individuals involved or intending to enter the food business sector.

Scientific panels and Scientific Committee 🔗

One of FSSAI’s most distinctive features is its robust scientific framework for standard development. The Scientific Committee and Scientific Panels serve as the principal scientific arms of the food authority in developing food standards.

Scientific Panels 🔗

Scientific Panels are constituted under Section 13 of the FSS Act, 2006, for developing standards and providing scientific opinions to the food authority. Currently, FSSAI has reconstituted 21 Scientific Panels, each comprising nine members. These panels are broadly categorized into horizontal panels (dealing with cross-cutting issues like food additives, pesticide residues, contaminants, and labelling) and vertical panels (focusing on specific product categories like dairy, meat, fish, fruits and vegetables, and beverages).

The horizontal panels address issues such as food additives and flavourings, pesticide residues, antibiotic residues, genetically modified organisms, biological hazards, contaminants, labelling and claims, sampling methods, nutrition, and packaging. Vertical panels cover specific food categories including functional foods and nutraceuticals, fish products, cereals and pulses, fruits and vegetables, meat and poultry, milk products, oils and fats, sweets and confectionery, beverages, spices, and alcoholic beverages.

Scientific Committee 🔗

The Scientific Committee is constituted under Section 14 of the FSS Act and comprises six independent experts nominated by the Food Authority plus the Chairpersons of all 21 Scientific Panels. With a current strength of 27 members, the Scientific Committee acts as the link between the Scientific Panels and the Food Authority. It examines recommendations from each panel and provides the final scientific opinion for approval by the Food Authority.

Central Advisory Committee 🔗

The Central Advisory Committee (CAC) plays a vital role in ensuring coordination between FSSAI and enforcement agencies at various levels. The CAC ensures close cooperation between the Food Authority and State Food Safety Authorities, facilitating consistent implementation of food safety regulations across the country. The committee includes representatives from industry bodies, consumer organizations, research institutions, and food laboratories, ensuring that diverse perspectives inform policy implementation.

Licensing and registration of food businesses 🔗

Under Section 31 of the FSS Act, 2006, every Food Business Operator in India must be licensed or registered with FSSAI. The licensing and registration requirements are governed by the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Business) Regulations, 2011.

Types of registration and licensing 🔗

The registration system is structured based on business scale and turnover. Basic Registration is meant for petty food manufacturers, including small retailers, hawkers, and cottage industries with annual turnover up to Rs 12 lakhs. State Licenses are required for businesses with turnover between Rs 12 lakhs and Rs 20 crores, while Central Licenses are mandatory for large-scale operations with turnover exceeding Rs 20 crores, as well as for importers, exporters, and businesses operating across multiple states.

In 2020, FSSAI launched the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS), a cloud-based platform that replaced the earlier Food Licensing and Registration System. This digital transformation has streamlined the entire compliance process, making it easier for food businesses to obtain licenses, file returns, and maintain regulatory compliance.

Major initiatives: Eat Right India 🔗

Beyond its regulatory functions, FSSAI has launched several initiatives to promote food safety and healthy eating habits. The Eat Right India movement, launched in July 2018, is a comprehensive initiative built on three pillars: Eat Safe, Eat Healthy, and Eat Sustainable.

This initiative encompasses various programmes including Food Safety Training and Certification (FoSTaC) for food handlers, Hygiene Rating certification for restaurants and food establishments, Clean Street Food Hub certification, and Eat Right Campus and Eat Right School programmes. The initiative has received global recognition from organizations like the World Health Organisation for innovative approaches such as the Trans-Fat Free India campaign and the Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (RUCO) initiative.

Looking ahead 🔗

FSSAI continues to evolve its regulatory framework to address emerging challenges in food safety, including e-commerce food delivery, novel foods, and sustainability concerns. The authority’s approach of combining stringent standards with capacity building and consumer awareness has positioned India’s food safety system as a model for developing nations.

What do you think? How has the unified food safety regulatory system under FSSAI impacted the quality of food products you consume daily? As consumers become more aware of food safety standards, what additional measures would you like to see implemented to ensure safer food for all Indians?

References

1. https://fssai.gov.in/cms/about-fssai.php
2. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1909687
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_Safety_and_Standards_Authority_of_India
4. https://vajiramandravi.com/upsc-exam/fssai/
5. https://fssai.gov.in/cms/centraladvisorycommittee.php
6. https://www.fssai.gov.in/cms/registration.php
7. https://cleartax.in/s/fssai-registration
8. https://eatrightindia.gov.in/eri-initiatives.jsp
9. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=154849&ModuleId=3