Gujarat FDCA Takes Action
Fssai in Gujarat recently served notices to 55 edible oil manufacturers against the use of old tins as new ones. They are sure to involve almost all the refining and repacking industries across the area. Similar observations were made about the packaging of edible creams and ointments where the Gujarat Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA) and FSSAI have been strict on the use of new tins to prevent the worst happenings.
Concerns Over Food Safety
The notice which was issued by the FSSAI reveals the fact that food safety is paramount and the dangers of using metal containers more than once. The following is the notice: “Consequent to the observed increased incidences of health hazards due to direct/indirect contact of foods with the metals including tin, it has been noted with deep concern that many FBOs still use old or substandard tins for packaging of foods and other products including edible oil, through manufacturing, re-labeling and re-packaging, and trading of foods etc”.
Regulatory Framework
As per the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulation of 2018, the used tinned containers cannot re used to pack the goods meant for human consumption. To the same effect, H G Koshia, Commissioner of the Gujarat FDCA confirmed this regulation by stating that the FSSAI does not allow the use of container tins for the packaging of food and this includes the reusing of such containers.
Compliance and Enforcement
The recent crackdown speaks the truth, many manufacturers disregard the compelling procedures and recycle the tins over and over. FSSAI and Gujarat FDCA came into force to ensure proper implementation of the related packaging standards to protect the health of the population. This means that manufacturers are forced to stick to these regulations and use new tins in the packaging of edible oils.
Implications for Manufacturers
This directive has direct implications for 55 manufacturers of edible oil and has forced all of them to alter their packaging methods right from this period. The enforcement of this regulation has the objective of increasing food safety and avoiding possible contamination with reused containers.
Thus, the FSSAI and Gujarat FDCA are taking very appropriate measures, implementing such standards to safeguard the consumers and higher standards in the edible oil sector.
