Food safety and standards act (FSSA) 2006 (34 OF 2006): Its legal provisions, penalties and offences

Multiplicity of food laws, standard setting and enforcement agencies pervades different sectors of food, which creates confusion in the minds of consumers, traders, manufacturers and investors. Detailed provision under various laws regarding admissibility and levels of food additives, contaminants, food colors preservatives, etc. and other related requirements have varied standard under prevention of food adulteration act 1954 and rules 1955. The standards are rigid and non-responsive to scientific advancement and modernization. In view of multiplicity of laws, their enforcement and standards setting as well as various Implementing agencies are detrimental to the growth of the nascent food processing industry and is not conducive to effective fixation of food standards and their enforcement. Without food regulations no country can ensure food safety, and India has therefore legislated the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSSA). All previous food laws that existed prior to 2006 like the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act were repealed once the FSSA was implemented. Food safety and standards Act (FSSA), 2006 is an Act enacted to keep up with the changing needs/requirements of time and to consolidate the laws relating to food and to establish the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. Government of India enacted a central legislation called as “food safety and standards Act 2006, Rules 2011and Regulations 2011”. It has intention of providing safe, hygienic and wholesome food for the citizen's of the country. The act aims to establish a single reference point for all matters relating to food safety and standards by moving from multilevel departmental control to a single line of command, to this effect, the act establishes an independent statutory authority the food and standards authority of India with head office at Delhi. India's long term is to have a strong and proactive system of quality assurance is based on statutory and regulatory authorities, consumer awareness and legal enforcement where required.