FSSAI’s product approval norms within 6 months

New Delhi, August 31

After scrapping product approval process following court orders, including the Maggi case, food safety watchdog Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has invited legal firms to help frame new norms for approvals.

Sources say the FSSAI is looking to streamline the product approval process and is expected to come up with new regulations within six months, which will be sent to the Law Ministry for its opinion.

“In the light of recent judgments of various courts relating to food safety, FSSAI has decided to engage legal assistance for formulation of Regulations on an urgent basis to govern (i) product approvals, (ii) imports, and (iii) procedures of issuing guidelines and administrative instructions,” the regulator said in a circular. Only those legal firms/lawyers, who are not involved in litigation against the FSSAI in any manner may apply, it said. “The successful legal firm/lawyer would have to undertake to not enter into any litigation/ legal advice against the FSSAI, directly or indirectly, on food related matters at least for a period of five years from the date of notification of such regulations,” it added.

The FSSAI has done away with the process of product approvals saying it is no longer possible to continue with it in view of the SC order of August 19. — PTI