THRISSUR: The food production units are violating the law due to the alleged failure of the Food Safety officials to prosecute and impose heavy fines on adulteration and breaking of registration/licence norms. Even after conducting raids and banning adulterated coconut oil and some brands of curry powders, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) norms are still violated.
The Assistant Food Safety Commissioner office in Thrissur has received a complaint over a product named ‘Organic Flavours,’ a product of Fourstar Naturals, Thrissur, which has allegedly violated the law by selling its products in supermarkets in the town by using the petty registration number as the FSSAI licence number.
Another complaint was about the violation of using the registration number given for a particular premise of production along with the production unit in another location. All FSSAI licence numbers start with ‘1’ series and registrations with '2,’ food safety officials said.
Assistant Food Safety Commissioner C.L. Dileep said that an inquiry into the matter was yet to be conducted. According to clause 63 of FSSAI Act, the violation of licensing norms could invite a punishment up to a maximum of six months and Rs 5 lakh fine. Food Safety offices have confirmed that the petty registration number obtained by paying a nominal amount could not be used as licence number and that the registration number given for one premise should not be used for another.
