FSSAI postpones Food Safety Act implementation

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has postponed the implementation of the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA) to February 5, 2013, from August 4, 2012, following protests by food business operators against the Act. The contention of the food operators is that without studying the Indian market, agriculture and other parameters, the Act has been enacted in haste.

As per new rules in the Act, a penalty will be levied on, and prosecution undertaken against restaurants which would be found violating the provisions of the Act. The proposals in the Act apply to all types of food businesses, right from a roadside food stall to a five-star hotel.