The Hindu : National : Parliament nod for Bill on food

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Thursday, Aug 03, 2006

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National

Parliament nod for Bill on food

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed a Bill seeking to consolidate laws relating to food and establish a regulatory body for the food-processing sector.

The body, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), would also monitor the sale and import of food articles to ensure the availability of safe and wholesome food.

The Lok Sabha had approved the Bill.

Replying to the debate, Minister of State for Food Processing Industries Subodh Kant Sahay said farmers, fishermen and small vendors had been excluded from the purview of the legislation. The Bill proposes a fine of up to Rs. 2 lakh for selling sub-standard food, up to Rs. 5 lakh for manufacturer of such food and up to Rs. 3 lakh for misbranded food. In case of death by eating adulterated food, the compensation would be not less than Rs. 5 lakh.

To be based in Delhi, the FSSAI would consist of 22 members besides the Chairperson. Seven members of the rank of Joint Secretary and above would represent Ministries or Departments dealing with agriculture, commerce, consumer affairs, food processing, health, legislative affairs and small-scale industries.

There will also be two representatives each from the food industry, consumer organisations, farmers' bodies and retailer organisations.

Soft drinks quality

PTI reports:

The proposed regulatory authority would have provisions for consumers to file complaints on the quality of processed food items, including soft drinks, Mr. Sahay said.

"The new food Bill has a provision for consumers to lodge complaints to the Authority about the quality of the processed food items, including soft drinks," he said.

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