PMO to look into issues concerning FSSAI, including product nod delays

In a major development, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has decided to intervene and look into possible solutions for issues related to FSSAI – delays in product approval, frequent changing of labelling norms, and food imports stuck at various ports and airports.
Caught in the tangle between the two Union ministries, ministry of food processing industries (MoFPI) as far as manufacturing is concerned and ministry of health and family welfare with regard to product approval and food safety, such issues have marred both the Indian food processing industry and food import trade.

Various options
In this regard, for a while, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Union minister of food processing industries, has been trying out various options – having one-to-one discussions with Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union minister of health and family welfare, and taking up the matter with prime minister Narendra Modi. The latest development seems to be a result of these efforts.
Replying to F&B News, Badal informed that her ministry fully appreciated that the health standards of the country needed to be maintained without being compromised but also felt the industry’s need to grow.
Key issue
She explained, “We had a lot of inter-ministerial dialogue. We took up this issue with the health ministry as it was one of the first things industry brought to my notice when I took over along with other issues of labelling, goods stuck at ports, and timely approvals. I took up the issue with Dr Harsh Vardhan. After having our discussions, we have taken up the issue with the prime minister, and at that level it will be sorted out.”
Badal added that the government was working to provide a solution to the industry and various arms of the government were in talks with each other regularly in this regard.
Due to the persisting issues related to FSSAI, there were reports suggesting that MoFPI wanted product approval or FSSAI to come under different body. However, Badal clarified that it did not matter under whom product approval or FSSAI remained as long as its actions were not arbitrary.
She stated, “The system should be transparent, and decisions shouldn’t be taken arbitrarily. It doesn’t matter under whom FSSAI is. What matters is the systems are not arbitrary and while maintaining the safety standards it (FSSAI) allows the industry to flourish. If industry will have any issues, those will be addressed.”
Growth
She observed, "Also while we need to work towards accepting global standards and keep safety and standards of our country at highest level, it should not hamper the growth of the industry. The ministry has taken up certain issues with the ministry of health and FSSAI related to the labelling of products, which are important because of the revised advisories issued by the FSSAI. And I am sure that a good solution will be arrived at soon.”
On the issue of imported food stuck at various ports, the minister said, “There are a couple of issues which have been raised by the industry. I have taken them up with the health minister. The matter is also in the notice of the prime minister’s office.”