Bangalore: The Union Government is modifying laws governing food safety standards to ensure adequate protection to consumers.

The Food Safety and Standards Bill, 2005, which was introduced in the Lok Sabha in August 2005, seeks to integrate food safety laws and proposes to set up the "food safety and standards authority of India" (FSSA) to regulate the sector. The FSSA will lay down scientific standards of food safety, including specifications for ingredients, contaminants, pesticide residue and biological hazards to ensure safe and wholesome food. The standards will be enforced by the Commissioner of Food Safety of each State through designated officers and food safety officers at the local level. As part of the process of consolidation, the Bill proposes to repeal eight laws related to food safety.

"The Bill has implications for all those involved in the food sector — from street hawkers, vegetable and milk vendors, dhabawalas, hotels and restaurants to food processing companies," a Union Government official told The Hindu . It makes it mandatory for food business operators, except hawkers, vendors or temporary stall owners, to get a licence. Hawkers, vendors and stall owners have to get their business registered with the local municipality or panchayat.

The Bill provides a safeguard for consumers with a special provision for food recall procedures. Although standards are specified for water, the Bill does not stipulate standards for potable water, which is usually provided by the local authorities. It puts the onus on the vendor/manufacturer to ensure that water of good quality is used even when tap water does not meet the required safety standards.

The Bill prohibits the use of food additives, processing aid, contaminants, heavy metals, insecticides, pesticides, veterinary drugs residue, antibiotic residues or solvent residues.The Bill provides for a graded penalty structure where the punishment depends on the severity of the violation. Offences such as manufacture of food that causes injury, its distribution, sale or import is punishable with a prison sentence.

The sentence could extend to life imprisonment if the violation has caused death.

To hear cases related to breach of regulations, the State Government has the power to appoint an adjudicating officer not below the rank of Additional District Magistrate. Any person not satisfied with the decision of the adjudicating officer has the right to go in appeal before the food safety appellate tribunal to be set up under the provisions of the proposed Act.

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