
FSSAI had made it mandatory in December 2019 for commercial feeds/ feed materials intended for food producing animals to comply with the relevant BIS standards. FSSAI had issued these directions after it had been noted that foods of animal origin have been found sometimes to be non-compliant with the relevant food quality and safety standards as has been laid down in the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 with respect to pesticides, heavy metals and Aflatoxin M1. Since the major source of contaminants comes from feed and fodder hence FSSAI had felt the need for regulatory control of animal feeds.
However, some stakeholders have raised concerns regarding the implementation of these directions which had made it mandatory for BIS standards and its certification. The FSSAI has now issued new directions dated 27 January 2020 regarding compliance of commercial feeds / feed materials intended for meat and milk producing animals with the relevant BIS standards. FSSAI after deliberating on these concerns and as empowered in the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Amendment Regulations 2020 (which have already been operationalised on 27 January 2020) it has been decided that the commercial feeds intended for cattle shall comply with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for Compounded feeds for Cattle (IS 2052:2009), and shall carry a BIS certification mark on the label of the products.
This direction will supersede the previous direction given in December, 2019 and will come into force within six months from 27 January 2020.
Standards Operationalised on 27 January 2020
The Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Amendment Regulation 2020 states that “Milk and meat producing animals except poultry and fish shall not be fed with feed containing meat or bone meal including internal organs, blood meal and tissues of bovine or porcine origin materials except milk and milk products. Commercial feeds shall comply with the relevant BIS standards, as may be specified by the Food Authority from time to time, and carry BIS certification mark on the label of the product.
Source: FSSAI
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