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FSSAI moves on tea pesticide limits and infant formula sugar
Why in News?
No added sugar in baby formula, new tea pesticide limits: which law created FSSAI? GS-II regulators
FSSAI has proposed pesticide residue limits for tea and a ban on added sugars in infant formula.
Why it matters: asked in UPSC 2018; factual, Prelims-type
What you need to know
2 min read
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has proposed new pesticide residue limits for tea and published draft rules that would bar added sugars in infant formula.
FSSAI is the statutory regulator set up under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and functions under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
It has also begun legal action against some biscuit makers over food safety violations.
Sources: Topper IAS editorial (PIB / The Hindu / Indian Express)
Key facts
Remember these
- FSSAI has proposed pesticide residue limits for tea and draft rules barring added sugars in infant formula.
- FSSAI is a statutory body set up under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
- It functions under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
- The 2006 Act consolidated older food laws, including the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954.
- FSSAI has also begun legal action against some biscuit makers over food safety violations.
Prelims · Mains
How the exam will ask it
Prelims
- FSSAI is a statutory regulator established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and it administers that Act.
- FSSAI lays down science-based standards for articles of food, including limits on pesticide residues.
- FSSAI works under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, not the Ministry of Consumer Affairs.
- The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954.
Mains
GS-II (Health; statutory regulatory bodies). The issue is residue-laden exports and unsafe infant nutrition; the FSS Act, 2006 empowers FSSAI to set standards and prosecute violators, as in the draft sugar ban and the action against biscuit makers. The implications are child health protection and export competitiveness for tea; the way forward is stronger lab testing, risk-based inspection, alignment with Codex norms and prompt enforcement.
PYQ connection
A question UPSC has already asked on this
Consider the following statements
- The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954.
- The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is under the charge of Director General of Health Services in the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: A
Why this matters: today's issue is directly connected to a concept UPSC has already tested. Read the story with this question in mind.
Practise this PYQ →Quick recall
Answer before you reveal
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which frames standards such as pesticide residue limits for food, is a statutory body established under the:
- Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954
- Consumer Protection Act, 2019
- Legal Metrology Act, 2009
- Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
Show answer
Answer: D — The correct answer is the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which created the FSSAI to set science-based standards for articles of food.
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