FSSAI to regulate water utilities controlled by the Government.

FSSAI

Eyeing regulation of quality of tap water

• FSSAI overlooks domestic and international private food companies.
• It is now eyeing regulating water utilities controlled by the government.
• Food regulator FSSAI is examining possibility of holding municipal authorities, state water supply boards accountable for the quality of water they supply.

Central Consumer Protection Council

• Expressed concern over quality of drinking water supplied through the pipeline
• Recommended mandatory standards for drinking water, irrespective of its source
• According to it, FSSAI should formulate standards for water through the pipeline and should monitor quality.
• CCPC is an apex body that advises the government on the consumer-related issues
• However, FSSAI is yet to take a call on how to bring water supplied by municipal authorities and other government authorities such as Delhi Jal Board under its purview.

Census 2011

• 32% of India’s households have access to treated tap water (pipeline supply)
• 5% of India’s households get untreated water
• 16% of India’s total population lives in urban areas. Out of it, about 62% households have access to treated tap water which is supplied mainly by municipal corporations and other government agencies.

World Health Organisation

• WHO guidelines on drinking water quality are accepted worldwide.
• They prescribe development and implementation of risk management strategies to ensure the safety of drinking-water supplies through control of hazardous constituents in water.
• FSSAI may follow WHO guidelines to regulate water quality in India

Delhi Jal Board

• The safety and quality of drinking water supplied by Delhi Jal Board has been questioned.
• Union consumer affairs minister has said that drinking water supplied by Delhi Jal Board was not safe for consumption.
• The residents of New Delhi also think they cannot drink water supplied by Delhi Jal Board.
• As per residents, dirty water is a regular feature. There is an additional expense of water purifier as water supplied is not fit for drinking.
• Residents are of the opinion that FSSAI brings the drinking water quality under tis ambit, it would benefit them and also ensure that the municipal authorities are brought under the scanner.
• However, Delhi Jal Board maintains the stand that they follow required standards to provide safe water.
• Associated Chambers of Commerce of India study (2012): The water purifier market is estimated to exceed Rs.7,000 crore in 2015

Packaged drinking water

• Since April 2016, FSSAI has been strict with companies selling drinking water in packaged form.
• There are 5,842 registered water packaging units in India.
• Of the total, 1,495 packing units have license from FSSAI and certificate from the Bureau of Indian Standards
• The remaining 4,347 units only have BIS certification.
• Now, FSSAI has asked all drinking water packaging units to procure a licence from FSSAI to continue operations.
• As per FSSAI order, “No person shall manufacture, sell or exhibit for sale, Natural Mineral Water and Packaged Drinking water, except under the BIS Standard Mark”

Food safety

• FSSAI recently expressed desire to regulate the ‘prasadam’ of several popular places of worship to follow safety standards it prescribes
• It allows imports of special food items meant for children with “Inborn errors of Metabolism”
  • These food items are manufactured by only a few companies such as Swiss packaged food company Nestle SA, American healthcare company Abbott Laboratories and French dairy firm Danone SA.
  • Treatment of these metabolic disorders requires early intervention including dietary control.
  • FSSAI is taking expedient actions to provide a unique platform for parents to find timely medical support and treatment.
  • Hospitals like AIIMS will be engaged
  • FSSAI has asked these companies to offer these food products at a subsidized price.
  • Also, the companies will offer a subsidy of Rs.5 crore a year for these food items. However, the government has no plan to bring these food items under its own subsidy schemes.
• FSSAI is celebrating its 10^th anniversary
• It has taken 10-point agenda to ensure safe food across the country which involves educating consumers, educating those involved in production of food, ensuring safety at point of manufacturing etc.
• It has taken initiatives on food safety
  • Creating negative list of foods served in schools that contain high fat, sugar and salt
  • A project to clean up street food
  • Ensure hygiene at corporate canteens, restaurants and religious places
• Colour coding: The companies in food business will be required to put up colour-coded food safety display boards on their premises. It will include
  • FSSAI license number
  • Instructions for food hygiene and safety practices
  • Consumer feedback details
• It will partner with leading companies to set up corporate training centres, embed food safety training in their entire value chain including marketing campaigns and also participate in research, surveillance and survey activities.
• FSSAI will also come out with guidelines if companies can use its name in advertisement campaigns. (Some companies highlight that their product is approved by FSSAI)
• Last year FSSAI was in news because of its crackdown on Maggi noodles which were suspected to contain excess lead

FSS Act 2006

• A mechanism to revamp the FSS Act is already in process
• A performance audit of FSSAI is being undertaken
• A Parliamentary Standing Committee has been set up to give its views to the Centre
• The legislation is expected to bring forth
  • Better co-ordination with States and various ministries
  • Simplifying the process of setting up standards
  • Setting up cleaning, sorting and grading mechanisms for raw products at mandis

FSSAI Background

• FSSAI is established under FSS Act, 2006
• It is a statutory body for laying down science based standards for articles of food and regulating manufacturing, processing, distribution, sale and import of food so as to ensure safe and wholesome food for human consumption
• Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India is the Administrative Ministry for the implementation of FSSAI.
• Chairperson and CEO of FSSAI is appointed by Government of India
• The Chairperson is in the rank of Secretary to Government of India

Connecting the dots:

1. Hygienic food and drinking water will determine the health standards of India’s young population which is considered as it’s divided. Examine the role of regulator in maintaining the superior food and water quality standards.
2. What is FSSAI? Discuss its role in maintaining food standards in India. 

Source-Iasbaba