New Delhi (Agency): A significant recommendation has been made by the Central Advisory Committee (CAC) of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to extend the tenure of licenses issued to food business operators (FBOs). According to FSSAI CEO G Kamala Vardhana Rao, licenses could be issued for up to five years instead of the current one year.
The recommendation came as a response to the food and beverage industry’s request for ease-of-doing-business measures. It was discussed at the 41st meeting of the Central Advisory Committee (CAC) held on Thursday at Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh.
This proposed change could streamline processes for businesses in the food and beverage sector, reducing the administrative burden of yearly renewals. By extending the license period, the FSSAI aims to promote a more business-friendly environment and encourage growth in the industry.
In addition to discussing the extension of licenses, the meeting also focused on other key areas of food safety and standards. Kamala Vardhana Rao highlighted FSSAI’s plans to train food handlers at Tirumala Tirupati Devsthanams, a religious institution that serves food to around 2.5 lakh pilgrims daily. The initiative aims to ensure safe food handling practices and enhance the quality of food served to the pilgrims.
The CEO also called upon states to work towards achieving the target of FoSTaC (Food Safety Training and Certification) training for 25 lakh FBOs in the next three years. This ambitious goal was previously announced by the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Mansukh Mandaviya.
The meeting in Tirupati underscores the FSSAI’s commitment to not only simplifying business processes for FBOs but also emphasizing the importance of food safety and proper training. The recommendation to extend the tenure of licenses is a significant step towards creating a more supportive environment for food businesses, balancing the needs of the industry with the essential goal of maintaining high standards of food safety and quality. The ongoing collaboration between the FSSAI and various stakeholders, including state governments and religious institutions, further illustrates the holistic approach being taken to ensure the well-being of consumers across India.
