Through a notification dated 16 November, 2020, the FSSAI has re-operationalise the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Amendment Regulations, 2020 and the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Amendment Regulations, 2020 relating to the limit of naturally occurring formaldehyde in freshwater and marine fish.
The amendment regulations are also related to the hygienic and sanitary conditions to be followed while handling, processing, manufacturing, packing, storing, distributing and transporting and retail of fish and fish products under Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registrations) Amendment Regulations, 2020. Both these amendment regulations were earlier operationalised on 10 February 2020 and re-operationalised on 21 August 2020.
These draft regulations are presently in the process of being notified and the final regulations are likely to take some more time before being notified and enforced. Meanwhile the FSSAI has observed that some other fish species also need to be incorporated in the list. Hence keeping in mind the public health interest and to ensure food safety and fair practices in food business operations, the FSSAI has decided to operationalise the revised provisions of these regulations, with immediate effect.
This direction will supersede the other directions issued on 21 August 2020 and will come into force with immediate effect. The Food Business Operators shall follow these regulations and the enforcement of these regulations with immediate effect. In so far as schedule 4 requirements are concerned, if required Improvement Notice under Section 32 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 may be issued to Food Business Operators and accordingly action may be taken for compliance of these requirements.
For list of fish species and regulations are also related to the hygienic and sanitary conditions to be followed while handling, processing, manufacturing, packing, storing, distributing and transporting and retail of fish and fish products
