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FSSAI sets up panel to issue simplified stds for food service industry
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Tuesday, 06 December, 2016, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Pushkar Oak, Mumbai
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The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has set up a review panel to issue simplified standards for the food service industry or food business operators (FBOs) in the coming year.
The Indian Hotels and Restaurant Association (AHAR) stated that the new set of norms would ensure easier operations, as they have filed a representation to FSSAI regarding non-applicability of standards for processed foods/finished goods to the prepared foods.
“We have filed a representation which will be considered by FSSAI. There is a difference in the way processed foods and food in hotels, restaurants and eateries are prepared,” said Adarsh Shetty, president, AHAR.
“For example, the tandoor used in a hotel and the one used in an industrial manufacturing unit are different. The way in which certain foods are prepared in India has to be taken into consideration,” he added.
The existing standards are adopted from the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) and the European Union (EU), which is based on the food they eat,” stated Shetty.
Madhukar Johar, expert, FSSAI, said, “The scientific panel will review the representation filed by the affected FBOs, so that a constructive solution, which would be acceptable and well perceived by the industry, can be formulated.”
“While these standards are being studied, the applications will also be studied. Chefs from the industry will be giving their inputs during the study,” he added.
“The major development is that FSSAI has become more receptive with regard to the standards. This is a tedious job. The panel will study every minor provision mentioned in the regulations with regard to applications while preparing food,” Johar stated.
“After the consultations and study, the apex authority will issue a simplified standard structure to the industry,” he added.
Concerns over safe food
“The other concern is that if these hotels and restaurants use technology to ensure food safety, it will hit the art of food preparation and will affect the restaurant. There will be no difference,” said Bharat Malkani, president, Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI).
“Many food delicacies in our cuisine are restricted to the way they are prepared. In short, it will affect a large group of unorganised hotels across the nation,” he added.
Malkani said, “Among the organised players, there are people dedicated to ensuring that safe food enters the kitchen, and even at the procurement stage, it is ensured that safe raw material is procured.”
“The unorganised sector is also now upgrading itself slowly. We, through our associations, are trying to spread awareness among the FBOs,” he added.
Awareness by FSSAI
FSSAI has inculcated awareness initiatives of 10@10 to issue order to install food safety display boards at public places. Such boards carry instructions regarding food.
It is also proposed to the hotels, restaurants and eateries. An enforcement officer said, “Concerns about food can only be addressed on sampling and further testing.”
“What FSSAI is trying to do is to inculcate awareness among consumers and the industry simultaneously. The authority is planning to ask restaurants to dedicate a safety supervisor who will be responsible for safe food at the venue,” he added.
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