While the FSSAI is working on getting all food-related establishments registered to follow some standardisation through the industry, across the country, they often meet a few setbacks. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. They were established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, consolidating multiple statutes related to food safety and regulation within the country. FSSAI is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through by regulating and supervising food safety.
One of the most significant issues is that all food-related establishments do not register under the Act. There are probably many reasons for this, but the most significant one being that the process takes too long. Another is because there are a lot of inspections and details needed for the application process and many small-time businesses think it is a lot easier to avoid the process instead of working on getting all the paperwork and requirements sorted.
Most companies do not go through with their renewals which is another issue that they have to go through. However, since they conduct regular inspections, these people have to go through fines and penalties if they are looking to keep their licences. Often, some companies and establishments go though the wrong application process since they didn’t go through all the details or calculate some of their future predictions correctly, and then have to make changes. If there is a company that is looking to change into a different vertical, they have to make changes to their application or apply for a new FSSAI licence and number.
They have started a project where they are encouraging the country to start eating healthy, which is turning out to be quite a challenge since in India most of the consumed food is oily, deep-fried, or covered in sugar. Creating awareness about the various options of food is one of the ways of encouraging people to eat healthily.
Another change that the FSSAI is making in Goa is creating a two-day registration process, which should encourage people to go through it without finding it a giant drag.
FSSAI has made it easy for Food Business Operators(FBOs) to register their food business under the various types of FSSAI licenses. Applicants can apply for these licences through the website or their offices. Multiple websites, assisting with this process, and they also go a step further to help with the running around or providing information about it, if needed.
While they have their head office in Delhi, there are four regional offices throughout the country with the headquarters at: FDA Bhawan near Bal Bhavan, Kotla Road, New Delhi
Additionally, there is a North and South Region, along with an East and Northeast region spread out across the country.