FSSAI planning to remove BIS, Agmark certification for food products.

In a move to streamline food safety regulations and boost ease of doing business, the government has proposed to make Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) certification the sole mandatory certification for food products. This eliminates the need for additional certifications from Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and AGMARK.

Key Highlights:

• Single certification: Currently, businesses require FSSAI, BIS, and AGMARK certifications for some food products. The proposed amendments simplify this by making only FSSAI mandatory.
• Draft notification: FSSAI will issue a draft notification seeking stakeholder feedback before finalizing the amendments.
• Ease of doing business: This move aligns with the “One Nation, One Commodity, One Regulator” principle, reducing compliance burden for businesses.
• Wider impact: The meeting also approved standards for mead (honey wine), alcoholic ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages, revised milk fat product standards, and Haleem standards.
• Transparency and inclusivity: Stakeholder comments will be invited before finalizing the amendments, ensuring a transparent and inclusive process.

Benefits:

• Reduced costs and time: Businesses can save time and money by dealing with one authority for certification.
• Improved compliance: Streamlined regulations may lead to better compliance and improved food safety.
• Enhanced consumer confidence: Clear and consistent standards can boost consumer trust in food products.

Next Steps:

• FSSAI will issue a draft notification for stakeholder feedback.
• Public comments will be considered before finalizing the amendments.
• Implementation timeline will be announced after finalization.

This initiative is expected to significantly benefit food businesses, regulators, and consumers alike. By simplifying the certification process and ensuring consistent standards, the government aims to create a safer and more efficient food ecosystem in India.

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