The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is structured with a Chairperson overseeing the organization. The Chief Executive Officer manages day-to-day operations. The Scientific Committee provides scientific advice, while the Central Advisory Committee offers policy guidance. Scientific Panels focus on specific areas of expertise. State Food Authorities, along with Food Safety Commissioners, implement food safety standards at the state level. Regional offices support coordination and implementation. Food Safety Officers inspect establishments and enforce regulations. FSSAI’s structure ensures effective regulation, enforcement, and promotion of food safety in India.

Structure of FSSAI

Food safety is a crucial aspect of public health, and in India, the responsibility of ensuring safe and wholesome food lies with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). As a regulatory body, the FSSAI plays a vital role in setting food safety standards, enforcing regulations, and promoting awareness among consumers. In this blog post, we will delve into the structure of FSSAI and understand how it functions to safeguard the nation’s food supply.

The Structure of FSSAI

1. Chairperson and CEO:
   At the helm of the FSSAI is the Chairperson, who is appointed by the Central Government. This individual oversees the overall administration and functioning of the authority. Reporting to the Chairperson is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), who is responsible for managing day-to-day operations and ensuring the smooth implementation of food safety regulations.
2. Scientific Committee:
   The FSSAI relies on scientific expertise to make informed decisions. The Scientific Committee, comprising experts from various fields such as toxicology, microbiology, nutrition, and food technology, provides valuable advice on scientific and technical matters related to food safety and standards.
3. Central Advisory Committee:
   To ensure broad-based consultation and policy guidance, the FSSAI has a Central Advisory Committee. This committee includes representatives from relevant ministries, industry associations, consumer organizations, and other stakeholders. It advises the FSSAI on policy matters, strategy, and overall direction.
4. Scientific Panels:
   To delve deeper into specific areas of expertise, the FSSAI has established various scientific panels. These panels consist of domain experts who focus on key aspects like food packaging and labeling, food additives and nutrient standards, contaminants, pesticide residues, and biological hazards. The panels critically assess scientific data and provide recommendations to the FSSAI.
5. State Food Authorities and Food Safety Commissioners:
   The FSSAI collaborates with State Food Authorities (SFAs) to ensure effective implementation of food safety standards at the state level. Each state has a designated Food Safety Commissioner who oversees the enforcement, monitoring, and surveillance of food safety regulations within their respective states. They work closely with the SFAs and report to the FSSAI.
6. Regional Offices:
   To ensure efficient coordination and implementation of food safety standards across different regions of India, the FSSAI has established regional offices. These offices support the SFAs and Food Safety Commissioners in their regions, facilitating smooth communication and compliance.
7. Food Safety Officers:
   Food Safety Officers play a crucial role in ensuring compliance with food safety regulations. They conduct inspections of food establishments, perform sampling and testing of food products, and enforce adherence to food safety standards. These officers work under the supervision of the Food Safety Commissioners and SFAs.

Also, Read

• Genesis and Evolution
• Food Safety and Standard Bill 2005
• Food Safety and Standard Act 2006
• Parts of FSS Act 2006

Organizational Structure of FSSAI

When we talk about the structure of FSSAI – it means the governing structure of the Food Authority. The Food Authority has three important areas of work – 1. Food Safety 2. Defining Food Standards and 3. Compliance and Inspections of policies and Rules & Regulations.

Food Safety is a combined task for both central food authority and State Food safety Authority (or called Food Safety or Food safety enforcement body). While defining Food standards and compliance and inspections are done by Central Food Authority (Also called Food Authority).

So, for all functions to become effective at each corner of India, the food authority is constituted with the Scientific Committee, Scientific panels, Central advisory committee, and State food safety authority.

Governing Structure of FSSAI: Food Authority structure

• 1 chairperson and 22 members
• 1/3^rd of 22 members is reserved for women
• Present chairperson – Ms Rita Teotia
• Present CEO – Shri Arun Singhal
• First Chairperson – P I Suvrathan

FSSAI Scientific Committee

• Scientific committee comprises chairpersons of Scientific Panels and Six independent scientific experts.
• it provides opinions on cross industry and sectoral issues and covers areas which are unique and not covered within the competence of the scientific panels.
• It provides their expert advice on specific fields such as biological hazards, contaminants, food testing, sampling, water, meat, dairy, cereals, oil etc.

Scientific Panel Structure of fssai

Scientific Panel on-

1. Food additives, Flavorings, Processing aids and Materials in contact with food
2. Pesticides Residues
3. Genetically Modified Organisms and Foods
4. Functional foods, Nutraceuticals, Dietetic Products and Other similar products
5. Contaminants in the Food Chain
6. Biological Hazards
7. Labelling and claims/Advertisements
8. Method of Sampling and Analysis
9. Fish and Fisheries Products
10. Milk & Milk Products
11. Meat & Meat Products, including poultry
12. Cereals, Pulses & Legume and their products (including Bakery)
13. Fruits & Vegetables and their products (including dried fruits and nuts salt, spices and condiments)
14. Oils & Fats
15. Sweets, Confectionery, Sweeteners Sugar & Honey
16. Water (including flavoured water) & Beverages (alcoholic non-alcoholic)
17. Nutrition and Fortification
18. Antibiotic Residues
19. Spices and Culinary Herbs
20. Panel on Packaging
21. Panel on Alcoholic Beverages

Food Safety Authorities Structure of FSSAI in State/UTs

States/UTs conduct food safety enforcement at the field level. The responsibility of compliance with food standards as per the food safety and standards act 2006 and rules and regulations framed thereunder rests primarily with the states and UT governments. The States/UTs are responsible for the creation and filling up of necessary posts required for this purpose.

The framework for food safety enforcement machinery provided under the food safety and standards act 2006 and Rules and regulations has the following officers –

1. Commissioner of food safety
2. Designated officers
3. Food Safety officers
4. Adjudicating officer
5. Food analyst

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) about FSSAI:

Conclusion

The structure of the FSSAI reflects a comprehensive approach to ensuring food safety in India. With its multi-tiered system, involving scientific committees, advisory panels, regional offices, and state-level authorities, the FSSAI plays a pivotal role in setting standards, monitoring compliance, and safeguarding public health. By fostering collaboration with stakeholders and promoting awareness among consumers, the FSSAI continues to work towards its mission of ensuring safe and wholesome food for all.

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