Question : STANDARDS AND TESTING OF FOOD PRODUCTS

(a) whether the Government has taken note of sale of sub-standard food products and beverages in the market and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether any norms/rules have been formulated regarding the quality standards and testing of food products and beverages, if so, the details thereof and the steps taken for compliance of such norms/rules;

(c) whether any consultations have been held with various stakeholders including Ministries/ Departments and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in this regard and if so, the details and the outcome thereof;

(d) whether the Government proposes to put in place a new arrangement for testing and formulation of quality norms and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the effective steps taken to create awareness among the consumers about the quality of food products and beverages?

THE MINISTER OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI RAM VILAS PASWAN)

(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.222 FOR 09.12.2014 REGARDING STANDARDS AND TESTING OF FOOD PRODUCTS.

(a): Yes, Madam. As per information received from State/ UT Governments, the number of food samples analysed is 72,200 out of which 13,571 have been found adulterated and misbranded in the year 2013-14.

(b): The standards for food products and beverages are prescribed in Food Safety and Standards (Food Product standards and food additives) Regulation, 2011 & Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, toxins and residues Regulation, 2011. Every Food Business Operator in the country has to follow and comply with Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the Rules & Regulations, 2011 made thereunder. As per Section 29 of FSS Act, 2006, the Food Authority and the State Food Safety Authorities shall monitor and verify that the relevant requirements of law are fulfilled by food business operators at all stages of food business. The enforcement of the provi- sions of the Act, rules and regulations thereunder is primarily with the respective States/UTs. Accordingly, samples are drawn regularly by State /UT Governments and action is taken against the offenders in cases where samples are found to be non conforming. Further, there are 152 Food Testing Laboratories under the purview of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for testing food products and beverages as per standards prescribed under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and Rules/Regulation, 2011.

(c): Yes, Madam. The draft regulations were notified in Gazette of India on 20th October, 2010 giving 60 days time for inviting suggestions/comments from all stake holders. The draft was also uploaded on the FSSAI website www.fssai.gov.in for comments/ suggestions from various stake-holders including the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). After considering the comments/suggestions from the stakeholders, the regulations were finalized and notified on 1st August, 2011.

(d): Modernization/up-gradation of food testing labs and formulation of quality norms is a continuous process. Further, FSSAI is in the process of harmonizing the existing Indian Standards with Codex and other international best practices.

(e): The consumers have been and are being made aware about food safety through mass media campaigns, documentary films, educational booklets, and stalls at Fairs/ Melas/ Events.