(a) the guidelines issued for quality and safety measures for the food processing industries under the Quality Assurance Scheme in the country;
(b) the measures taken by the Government to ameliorate standard quality assurance procedure and the implementation thereof;
(c) whether there is any monitoring and complaint redressal mechanism for this purpose; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)
(a): The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued the Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011 and the Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011 which prescribe the quality and safety standards, respectively for food products.
The Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011 prescribes the sanitary and hygienic practices to be followed by food processing industries under Schedule – IV thereof.
Ministry of Food Processing Industries, under the Scheme for Quality Assurance, Codex Standards and Research & Development and Other Promotional Activities provides financial assistance in the form of reimbursement of expenditure for implementation of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP)/ International Organisation for Standards (ISO) 22000 / ISO 9000 / Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)/ Good Hygiene Practices (GMP) for food processing industries which helps in improving quality and safety of processed food.
(b): FSSAI is in the process of harmonising the existing Indian standards with international Codex standards.
There are 152 Food Testing Laboratories authorised by FSSAI for testing food products as per standards prescribed under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and Rules / Regulations, 2011.
The implementation of FSS Act / Rules/ Regulations largely rests with the State Governments/ Union Territories. Accordingly, samples are drawn regularly by States/ UT Governments and action is taken against the offenders in cases where samples are found to be non-conforming.
(c)&(d): A complaint may be lodged in the office of the Food Safety Commissioner of concerned State/UT.The name and address of States/UT-wise Food Safety Commissioners are available on FSSAI website i.e. www.fssai.gov.in (http://fssai.gov.in/Food_Commissioners.aspx).
A consumer can also complain to the Food Safety Officer against any unsafe food product. In addition, there is a provision to lodge complaints online through Centralized Public Grievances Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) i.e. http://pgportal.gov.in/-.