FSS Act comes into force from January 2010

In a recent meeting the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), along with principal secretaries, in-charge of food safety in the states/UT's (union territories) and newly appointed food safety commissioners, has decided to implement the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006, by January 2010. The Authority also reviewed the steps taken by the states/UT's for the implementation of the Act.

The Food Safety and Standards Act was enacted to consolidate the laws relating to food and to establish a statutory regulator for food sector - FSSAI.

Under the provision of this Act, FSSAI has also taken several measures for ensuring transition from Prevention of Food Adulteration (PFA) Act 1955 and Rules 65 to the new regulatory regime. In the meeting state food safety commissioners indicated their readiness for the implementation of the FSS Act and some of them have already created separate departments for food safety in their states while some have created exclusive wings under the health department to deal with food safety.

According to the statement issued by FSSAI, the Authority emphasised on the states and UT's to take all necessary steps for the appointment of functionaries like food safety commissioners, designated officers, adjudicating officers and food safety officer as required under various provisions of the Act and all other necessary measures for implementation of the Act by 31st December, 2009, as already indicated to the Supreme Court of India.

In the meeting, the steps taken by the concerned state governments to check the menace of "synthetic milk," adulterated ghee, and melamine adulterated products, were discussed. The state government representatives assured that they were fully concerned about these issues and steps are being taken to check such practices.