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F&B companies cannot sell proprietary foods without govt's nod anymore
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Monday, 18 March, 2013, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Our Bureau, Mumbai
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fiogf49gjkf0d The food companies will not be able to sell new products -be it digestive biscuits, probiotic ice-cream or low-sugar jams – hereafter without the nod of the health ministry and the country's apex food regulator, the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI).
All food companies, which are coming up with new or selling existing products., which is proprietary – in other words, not classified in the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006 – would need to follow a regulatory 'new product approval' guideline, as laid down by FSSAI.
Even if the food companies are announcing the ingredients on packages and in advertising, they would still need approvals, according to the modified FSSAI guidelines issued to all food companies recently.
The new guidelines by FSSAI state that the makers of all proprietary products would now have to submit applications to the Central government for approval, and can launch them only after all the necessary approvals have been obtained.
The food companies are saying that the move will delay the development and innovations of new products, even if it helps in filtering out incorrect product claims.
According to Piruz Khambatta, chairman, Rasna, said, “It is a step backwards. The regulations are welcomed by us, but the regulatory body should be conducive to growth instead of delaying both new product development and innovation, which is so important when the market is so competitive.”
He added, “Till now, proprietary food products were approved at the state level, but with new guidelines in place, the company will now need to seek approval from the central food authority.”
The move comes at a time when functional foods are growing at a rapid pace. While categories like muesli are growing at 40 per cent a year and are estimated to be worth Rs 100 crore, the Rs 200-crore-plus oats market is growing at about 30 per cent.
When contacted, K Chandramouli, chairman, said, “I would not like to comment on the issue. Everything is mentioned on the FSSAI website.”
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