Consider the following statements:

1. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954.
2. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is under the charge of Director General of Health Services in the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, consolidates the laws relating to food and establishes the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. Various central Acts, such as the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954; the Fruit Products Order, 1955; the Meat Food Products Order, 1973; and the Vegetable Oil Products (Control) Order, 1947, were repealed upon the commencement of the FSS Act, 2006.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, is the Administrative Ministry for the implementation of FSSAI. The Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) have already been appointed by the Government of India. The Chairperson is in the rank of Secretary to the Government of India.
• It is the country’s apex food regulator headquartered in New Delhi.
• It has six regional offices in Delhi, Guwahati, Mumbai, Kolkata, Cochin, and Chennai.
• Aim: to act as the single reference point for all food safety and standards matters.
• Functions:
  • Framing standards and guidelines of food safety.
  • Granting food safety licenses for food businesses.
  • Framing guidelines for laboratories in food businesses.
  • Providing suggestions to the government in policy framing.
  • Collect data regarding contaminants in food products, identify emerging risks, etc.
  • Creating an information network across the country about food safety.
  • Promote general awareness about food safety and food standards.

Answer: (a) 1 only; Difficulty Level: Hard