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(THE GIST OF PIB) Food Import Rejection Alert Portal

(SEPTEMBER-2024)

Food Import Rejection Alert Portal

Recently, the Food Import Rejection Alerts (FIRA)- portal was launched during the second edition of the Global Food Regulators Summit 2024 hosted by FSSAI at Bharat Mandapam.

About Food Import Rejection Alert Portal:

It is an online portal for notification of food import rejections at Indian borders.
It has been developed by the Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
It is designed to notify the public and relevant food safety authorities about food import rejections at Indian borders.

Features:

It will facilitate rapid exchange of information among authorities worldwide on food safety and health risks stemming from rejected food.
It will also enable relevant food authorities to take immediate action for prevention and control of risks before it causes harm.
The new portal has an online interactive interface for rapid dissemination of information to ensure enhanced traceability and transparency.
It also serves as a valuable database for tracking rejected food products and for further strengthening of the risk management system.

What is FSSAI?

It is an autonomous body established under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. It has been established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006,which is a consolidating statute related to food safety and regulation in India.
Mission:Set globally benchmarked standards for food, encourage and ensure that food businesses adhere to these standards, adopt good manufacturing and hygiene practices, and ultimately enable citizens to access safe and right food.

Functions:

It is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the regulation and supervision of food safety.
It lays down standards and guidelines in relation to articles of food and provides for licensing, registration, and accreditation for food business operators.
Anyone selling or importing food in India needs a food license issued by FSSAI.
Its officers carry out food import controls and ensure that they contain no harmful ingredients. It is also responsible for the accreditation of food testing laboratories throughout India.