FSSAI facilitates Food businesses

Press release from FSSAI for Food businesses to facilitate food industry to face Covid-19 challenges- FSSAI has given guidelines regarding hygiene and food safety measures to make it easy for food industry to handle and serve food to customers. The links provided in the press release gives training guidelines for the restaurants and other food vendors. For more information click on the links provided at the end of the article – Healthy Life

In response to COVID 19 pandemic, the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is taking several steps to facilitate industry during the lockdown period. As the country moves further in its fight against COVID 19 and many restrictions are being eased across many areas, FSSAI is gearing to face emerging challenges.

FSSAI is engaged with State Food Safety Departments, communicating the emerging  priorities in food safety landscape. The priorities communicated include expediting work related to licensing on the online portal; establish licensing helpline in each State with a dedicated number and email id; create robust complaint handling mechanism; conduct only essential inspections etc. The need for facilitating food business has been strongly emphasized by FSSAI to the State food authorities.

FSSAI had issued detailed guidelines on food safety and hygiene for food businesses during the COVID 19 pandemic. The same can be accessed at:

https://fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Guidance_Note_COVID_15_04_2020.pdf

Realizing the need for training food handlers, FSSAI has commenced training for food handlers under its flagship Food Safety Training & Certification (FoSTaC) programme. Besides training, there is a need to counter myths and misinformation. Several instances have been brought to the notice of the Authority where products such as frozen food, food served cold/ chilled etc. were selectively not allowed to be transported, stored or sold, ostensibly on the notion that they could promote spread of COVID-19. FSSAI has communicated to State’s/UT’s giving instructions to review any such restriction imposed in their State and rescind those not consistent with FSSAI guidance. States/UT’s have been instructed to follow a non-discriminatory approach while dealing with food businesses in the lockdown and even post  lockdown period.

The communications to States can be accessed at:

Lin1: https://www.fssai.gov.in/upload/advisories/2020/05/5eb13e07d8b40Letter_Steps_Business_COVID_05_05_2020.pdf

Link 2: https://www.fssai.gov.in/upload/advisories/2020/05/5eb3ba21c046eLetter_Clarification_Food_COVID_05_05_2020.pdf