Following the spate of agitations across the country against the new Food Safety and Standards (licensing and registration of food businesses) Regulations, 2011, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has attempted to carve a middle path by issuing an advisory that has made the long-winding Food Safety Management System Plan (FSMS) certification procedure for Food Business Operators (FBOs) optional.
The advisory issued by the FSSAI said, “Considering the difficulties faced by the FBOs in complying with the FSMS, a document that records the entire list of the activities carried out by the food manufacturer or handler or reseller of food in ensuring that the food is safe and facilitating the issuance or renewal or conversion of new licences during the transition period of one year, it has now been made optional.”
The Expert’s Thought: The option would help Food Business Operators to get License easy and hence ensuring more law compliance.
