World · India Bureau
India's food regulator tightens cold chain requirements for perishable goods
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has directed food businesses to maintain strict temperature controls when handling and transporting perishable items. State authorities have been instructed to enforce compliance with the new advisory across the supply chain.
LSN India ·
India's primary food safety regulator has issued fresh guidelines requiring food business operators to transport perishable commodities under carefully controlled temperature conditions throughout their supply chains. The directive from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) aims to protect public health by preventing spoilage and contamination of temperature-sensitive food items.
The advisory specifically addresses the handling, storage, and transportation of perishable foods including khoa, paneer, meat, and fish. Food businesses must ensure strict adherence to established hygiene and temperature standards at every stage of the supply chain, from production facilities to retail outlets and consumers' homes.
The FSSAI has tasked state food safety officers with maintaining vigilant oversight and taking corrective action against operators who fail to comply with regulatory requirements. The regulator cited concerns that perishable food commodities have been handled improperly in certain instances, necessitating the fresh advisory.
The regulatory framework for these requirements is outlined in Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011, which specifies hygienic and sanitary standards that all food business operators must follow. The FSSAI emphasized that compliance with cold chain protocols is essential to prevent foodborne illnesses and maintain the safety of the nation's food supply.