Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA) 2006 (34 of 2006) in India: Composition, Functions of FSSAI and Implementation and Challenges of FSSA 2006

In this modern era of globalization India is growing rapidly. In view of multiplicity of laws, their enforcement and standards setting various implementing agencies are detrimental to the growth of the nascent food processing industry and also they are not conducive to effective fixation of food standards and their enforcement. Government of India, held extensive deliberations and approved the proposed integrated food laws with certain modifications. The new integrated comprehensive central legislation Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 (34 of 2006) and Regulations 2011 is an act enacted by Government of India to keep up with the changing needs / requirements of time and to consolidate the laws relating to food with the purpose to establish the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India with head office at Delhi. The Act has been a single statutory body for food laws, standards setting and enforcement. It has intention of providing safe, hygienic and wholesome food for the citizens of the country. The act has been introduced to establish a single reference point for all matters relating to food safety and standards by moving from multilevel departmental control to a single line of command. Aim of this paper is to increase awareness of new act for consumers, traders, manufacturers, investors, food business operators, stakeholders, sellers and students. This paper also throws light on multiplicity of food laws, new food regulatory mechanism in our country and new challenges for the implementation of this new integrated food act FSSA 2006.