FSSAI Re-operationalizes Amendments Regulations on Limits of Naturally Occurring Formaldehyde in Fish

Through a notification issued on 21 August 2020, the FSSAI has re-operationalised 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 which specifies the limits 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.

The 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, keeping in mind the public health interest and to ensure food safety and fair practices in food business operations, the FSSAI has decided to re-operationalise provisions of these regulations, with effect from 11 August 2020

Food Business Operators shall follow these regulations and the enforcement of these regulations with immediate effect. In so far as the 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.

The Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Amendment Regulations, 2020 has been created by amending the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, under regulation 2.6, the FSSAI has added the category ‘Limit of Formaldehyde”

The FSSAI has also provided the List of Kind of Businesses (KoB) and their eligibility criteria for Registration/License with regard to

• Manufacturing/processing
• Storage, transport and Trade
• Retail

The FSSAI has also given the requirements for fish retail vendors including stationary street vendors and moving street food vendors. These requirements will ensure hygiene and safety of fish being sold by these vendors and the best practices that they need to follow. For details you can refer to these Amendment regulations at

http://foodsafetyhelpline.com/fssai-operationalises-regulations-on-limits-of-naturally-occurring-formaldehyde-in-fish/

Source: FSSAI