The National Food and Safety Regulator are getting more concerned with regulatory regimes as they released a guideline of recall procedures for food companies in India. The said guidelines are strictly mandatory for every food company. Food authorities will take legal action if any operator is caught violating the procedure. Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has written to food companies, according to The Economic Times.
The website obtained a copy of the note, "The food business operator shall be liable for violation (of a recall order)." It is also stated that "a recall plan should be available in writing" and should be available to the food authority anytime, which shall be part of annual audit.
Sellers should remove immediately recalled items from the store and return the stocks to the manufactures and should promptly inform consumers through "food recall notices," such as press release or advertisement. As well as the food authorities, once the detailed recall commenced, food companies should submit "recall status report" at least on a weekly basis to the regulator.
According to the regulator, "the frequency of such reports will be determined by the relative urgency or gravity of the recall. Recall of food is in the common interest of the industry, government and, in particular, consumers."
The note also added, pointing for the "imported food," export oriented group should also prepare their recall plan for they will also be checked by the port authorities for the protection of the local consumers in India.
It was June 5 when the regulatory board ordered Nestle to recall their Maggi noodles, after rigorous test showed that their product contained lead and flavor enhancer monosodium glutamate.
On Monday, FSSAI ordered recall some health products for children made by Jagdale Industries. The health supplements are Mulmin Plus Capsule, Mulmin Pro, Mulmin Drops and Mulmin Syrup.
