FSSAI issues detailed guidelines on recall of food products

The FSSAI (The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India), Food safety regulator, asked the companies to frame a proper plan to recall food products from markets if found unsafe. It also asked the companies to inform the authority about the same.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) released the guidelines on recalling of food products. The purpose of these guidelines is to help food business operators (FBOs) outline a proper recall plan and apply them when the situation demands.

The food business operators (FBO) shall submit their detailed recall plan to the FSSAI at the time of recall being carried out. FBOs need to set up a recall management team, notify the regulator, recognize all products to be recalled, detain and segregate products to be recalled which are in the company’s control besides verifying the effectiveness of the recall.

Food recalls
Food recalls are the correct method for correcting or removing marketed food products and their labeling that breach the laws administered by the regulatory authority.

Recall of food product is an action to remove or correct food products from the market at any stage of the food chain, including that possessed by the consumer, which may pose a threat to the public health or food that violate the Act, or the rules or regulations made thereunder.

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Food recalls guidelines

The recovered product,  through this process, must be stored in an area which is separated from any other food product. Accurate records are to be kept of the amount of recovered product and the batch codes of the product recovered.

After recovery, products may be reprocessed or corrected before release to the market if it is fit for human consumption or the product will be destroyed.
 
The action to be taken on the recalled food product should be permitted by the competent Authority.
The companies, which have produced or processed unsafe products, should take actions so that the need for such recalls do not arise again in future.

About FSSAI
FSSAI lays down science-based standards for articles of food and regulates their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food to 130 crore citizens of the country. The authority is also responsible for creating an information network across the country so that the public, consumers, etc receive rapid, reliable and accurate information about food safety and hygiene and related issues of concern.

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