FSSAI and NetProFaN
FSSAI, set up under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, sets food standards and ensures safe food; NetProFaN is its network of food and nutrition professionals.
About FSSAI
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) was set up under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which brought older food laws (the PFA Act 1954, the Fruit Products Order, Meat Food Products Order, Milk and Milk Products Order and others) under one law. It works under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and its Food Safety and Standards Regulations came into force in 2011. Its aim is safe and wholesome food for every citizen, through science-based standards and control of the manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import of food.
Functions of FSSAI
- Framing standards for foods, additives, contaminants and residues.
- Registration and licensing of food businesses: small businesses register; larger ones need a State or Central licence.
- Testing and surveillance through a network of food laboratories and mobile 'Food Safety on Wheels' vans.
- Labelling and claims: rules on labels, nutrition information, health claims and advertising.
- Training: FoSTaC (Food Safety Training and Certification) for food handlers.
- Consumer awareness, including simple home tests for adulteration.
- Nutrition-related rules: fortification standards (2018) and the +F logo; a limit on industrial trans fat in oils and fats; rules restricting foods high in fat, salt and sugar in and around schools.
- Leads the Eat Right India movement.
FSSAI initiatives linked to nutrition
| Initiative | What it does |
|---|---|
| Fortification standards and the +F logo | Mark fortified salt, oil, milk, flour and rice |
| Trans fat limit | Cuts industrial trans fat in oils and fats to protect the heart |
| Safe food in schools | Restricts unhealthy foods in school canteens and nearby |
| Clean Street Food Hubs and hygiene rating | Safer street food; eateries rated for hygiene |
| RUCO (Repurpose Used Cooking Oil) | Collects used frying oil for biodiesel so it is not reused in cooking |
| Save Food Share Food | Cuts waste by passing surplus food to people in need |
| State Food Safety Index | Ranks states on food safety performance |
NetProFaN (Network of Professionals of Food and Nutrition)
- A platform hosted by FSSAI, co-created in 2019 by professional bodies in food and nutrition.
- Founding associations included the Indian Dietetic Association (IDA), the Nutrition Society of India (NSI), the Indian Medical Association (IMA), the Association of Food Scientists and Technologists (India), the Indian Federation of Culinary Associations and the India section of AOAC.
- Aim: pool the strengths of these professions to support national public health and nutrition goals, while building members' own skills.
- Members: dietitians, nutritionists, doctors, food technologists, chefs, analysts and students, working through city or state chapters.
- Activities: spreading correct, science-based Eat Right India messages; countering food myths; preparing and translating resource material into regional languages; workshops, Eat Right Melas, and sessions in schools and workplaces.
FSSAI vs NetProFaN
A nutrition graduate can join NetProFaN through a professional body such as the IDA or NSI and volunteer to run Eat Right sessions in schools and workplaces, using FSSAI's ready-made material in Tamil.
2 marks: “What is NetProFaN?” The Network of Professionals of Food and Nutrition: a platform hosted by FSSAI (co-created 2019) through which professional bodies such as IDA and NSI spread correct food and nutrition messages.
5 marks: “List the functions of FSSAI.” Standards; registration and licensing; testing and surveillance; labelling and claims; training (FoSTaC); consumer awareness; nutrition rules (fortification, trans fat, school foods); Eat Right India.
10 marks: “Discuss the role of FSSAI in ensuring safe and nutritious food. Add a note on NetProFaN.” FSS Act 2006, laws it replaced, regulations of 2011; functions; nutrition-linked initiatives; NetProFaN: aim, members, chapters, activities; regulator versus network.
FSSAI makes and enforces the rules; NetProFaN spreads the message. FSS Act 2006, regulations 2011, fortification rules 2018, NetProFaN 2019.