THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABIAZAD)
(a)to(g): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 344 FOR 3RD DECEMBER,2010
(a) & (b) : The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has been established
by a notification dated 5.9.2008 under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act,
2006 (FSS Act) with a view to achieving the mandate of the Act. As per the provisions of
the said Act, the work relating to the administration of the Prevention of Food Adulteration
Act, the Fruit Products Order, the Meat Food Products Order, the Milk and Milk Products Order,
etc. has been transferred to FSSAI.
The following work has so far been done by FSSAI:
# Constitution of the Central Advisory Committee, 8 Scientific
Panels and the Scientific Committee in terms of Section 11,13
and 14 of the FSS Act
# Preparation of draft Rules and Regulations under the provisions
of the FSS Act.
# Appointment of Authorised Officers for 5 major sea ports viz.
Kolkata, Haldia, JNPT, Mumbai and Chennai to assist the
customs authorities in clearance of imported food materials.
# Consultations and review meetings with all Food
Commissioners of States / UTs and other stakeholders in Regional Conferences.
# Training programme for the trainers of Food Safety Officers of
all States/UTs during June-July, 2010 and training of Designated
Officers during September, 2010.
# Orientation Programme for Food Safety Commissioners.
# Conduct of examination for Public Analysts.
# Gap analysis study in respect of 50 food laboratories in different
States/UTs with a view to upgrading them.
# Development of a draft code of self-regulation for advertisement
after consulting the stakeholders.
# Entrusting the work to various agencies to prepare syllabi for
training of Food Business Operators and Food handlers, and the
Pilot project to prepare food safely plan for panchayats and
municipalities.
# Development of a blue print for Food Safety management
system.
# Drafting of schemes for Centres of Excellence and Research and
Development.
# Study on consumption of processed food and its impact on the
human health.
(c) to (g) : FSSAI has appointed independent scientific experts as members of its Scientific
Committee / Panels. In the eight Scientific Panels and the Scientific Committee constituted
by the Authority, at present there are 27 scientists from the private sector,out of a total
of 123 scientists (21%). These scientists have been . selected as members in their
individual capacity as experts in their respective fields irrespective of their present
association or affiliation with any public or private sector organisation with a view
to bringing together the best scientific expertise available in the country for forming
scientific opinions. This is in accordance with the international practice followed in
respect of Committees requiring high level expertise on any specific subject. An
elaborate procedure has been laid down to manage conflict of interest. The members
of the Scientific Committee and Panels are required to submit an annual declaration
of interest and declaration of any possible conflict of interest before each meeting
of the Scientific Committee and panels. Whenever a conflict of interest is established,
Chairman of the Committee/panel is required to exclude such a scientist from consideration
of items in the agenda.
