The meaning or full form of the acronym FSSAI is the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India which is related to a regulatory body in India. The Food Safety and Standards Authority works as a statutory body.
This statuary body Food Safety and Standards Authority is mainly formed under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the Government of India.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority is a government body for food safety in India as the name suggests. This statuary body for food safety was established in action to the food safety and standards act, 2006.
About FSSAI
- The prime responsibility of the Food Safety and Standards Authority is to protect and promote public health. The Food Safety and Standards Authority do this through regulation and leadership of food safety standards. The food safety and standards act, 2006 which was used to form Food Safety and Standards Authority is like a consolidating statute that is related to regulations of food safety in India.
- A non-executive chairperson is responsible to head the Food Safety and Standards Authority. This non-executive chairperson is selected by the central government of India. The central government of India appoints chairperson only if they either are holding or has held the position of not below the rank of secretary to the government of India.
- The headquarters of the Food Safety and Standards Authority is located in New Delhi, India. Apart from the head office, the Food Safety and Standards Authority operates through regional offices in various cities of India such as Guwahati, Kolkata, Cochin, Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, etc.
- The Food Safety and Standards Authority also has 14 referral labs that have been notified and 72 laboratories in states or union territories. Food Safety and Standards Authority operates in 112 labs NABL accredited private labs.
- The Food Safety and Standards Authority had the aim of benefitting industries that are involved in manufacturing, handling, packaging, and selling of food goods. Along with this aim, Food Safety and Standards Authority decided to provide everlasting licenses to food manufacturers and restaurants. However, Food Safety and Standards Authority kept a condition with this license that these manufacturers and restaurants have to file their returns every year.
FSSAI powers
- The Food safety and standards act, 2006 provided some powers to the Food Safety and Standards Authority to better run their operations and spread regulations in food safety. Some of these powers that the Food Safety and Standards Authority got from the food safety and standards act, 2006 are –
- The Food Safety and Standards Authority has the power to frame a regulation to lay down food safety standards.
- Food Safety and Standards Authority get power to contribute to the growth of international technical standards in food.
- Food Safety and Standards Authority can lay down all the guidelines for the accreditation of labs for various types of food testing before permitting them.
- Food Safety and Standards Authority collect and organizes data and information related to food consumption, emerging risks, contamination, etc.
- Food Safety and Standards Authority has the power to give scientific suggestions and advice to the central government.
- Food Safety and Standards Authority has the power to distribute information and to spread food awareness in India.
- Food Safety and Standards Authority can give technical support to the central government.
FSSAI history
Former union minister Dr Anbumani Ramadoss from the Government of India established Food Safety and Standards Authority. The government of India formed it on 5 August 2011. Food Safety and Standards Authority includes one chairperson along with 22 members of the authority.
The main operation of the Food Safety and Standards Authority was to set standards for food. This was so there should be one organization which can deal with and there should not be confusion for consumers, traders, investors, and manufacturers.
Some Other Famous Full Forms of FSSAI
FSSAI- Food Security and Standards Authority of India
FSSAI- Food Standards and Safety Authority of India
Similar Full Forms
