Food Safety Bill adds CEO as Food Authority member

This Bill amends the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 to include the Chief Executive Officer as a member of the Food Authority, clarify the requirement for one-third of specific member categories to be women, and grant the Chairperson powers of general superintendence over the Authority's affairs.

Who it concerns: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), its Chairperson, its members, and the Central Government.

What the bill does

• Increases the total number of members in the Food Authority from twenty-two to twenty-three by adding the Chief Executive Officer as a Member-Secretary ex officio.
• Restricts the requirement for one-third of members to be women to only those members representing food industry, consumer organisations, food technologists/scientists, farmers’ organisations, and retailers’ organisations.
• Inserts a new section (7A) granting the Chairperson powers of general superintendence and directions in the conduct of the Food Authority's affairs.
• Allows the Central Government to dispense with the condition of previous publication for regulations made by the Food Authority if it is in the public interest.

Also in the document

• The Bill is an amendment to an existing Act (Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006).
• The commencement date is to be appointed by the Central Government via notification in the Official Gazette.