Context: The Union Consumer Affairs Ministry has asked the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to investigate the allegations against the leading Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) companies. This follows recent claims that Nestle’s baby food products in India, as well as those in Africa and Latin America, contain excessive sugar levels.
About Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG)
- FMCGs are products that sell quickly at relatively low cost. These goods are also called consumer packaged goods.
- They have a short shelf life because of high consumer demand such as soft drinks and confections or because they are perishable (e.g., meat, dairy products, and baked goods).
- There are several types of FMCGs such as:
- Processed foods such as cheese products, cereals, and boxed pasta
- Beverages such as bottled water, energy drinks, and juices
- Fresh foods, frozen foods, and dry goods
- Medicines such as aspirin, pain relievers, and other medication that can be purchased without a prescription
- Cleaning products such as baking soda, oven cleaner, and window and glass cleaner
- Cosmetics and toiletries such as hair care products, concealers, toothpaste, and soap
- Office supplies such as pens, pencils, and markers
- The FMCG sector, as India's fourth-largest industry, employs about 3 million people, making up 5% of the country's total factory employment.
About FSSAI:
- Body: Statutory body has been established under Food Safety and Standards, 2006.It works as an independent authority and attained a special status. The FSS Act took 7 older acts into one umbrella.
- Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954.
- Fruit Products Order, 1955
- Meat Food Products Order, 1973
- Vegetable Oil Products (Control) Order, 1947
- Edible Oils Packaging (Regulation) Order 1998
- Solvent Extracted Oil, De- Oiled Meal and Edible Flour (Control) Order, 1967
- Milk and Milk Products Order, 1992
- Nodal ministry: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, is the Administrative Ministry for the implementation.
- Headed by: Non-executive chairperson, appointed by the Central Government, either holding or has held the position of not below the rank of Secretary.
- Objective: To establish a single reference point for all matters relating to food safety and standards, by moving from multi- level, multi- departmental control to a single line of command.
- Function:
- Framing of regulations to lay down food safety standards
- Laying down guidelines for accreditation of laboratories for food testing
- Providing scientific advice and technical support to the Central Government
- Contributing to the development of international technical standards in food
- Collecting and collating data regarding food consumption, contamination, emerging risks, etc.
- Disseminating information and promoting awareness about food safety and nutrition in India.