Consider the following statements: The Food Safety and Standards Act

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
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2018
The correct answer is A) 1 only.
– Statement 1 is correct. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 is an Act of Parliament of India which consolidates the laws relating to food and establishes the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. It repealed several earlier laws, including the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, the Fruit Products Order, 1955, the Meat Food Products Order, 1973, etc.
– Statement 2 is incorrect. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is an autonomous statutory body established under the FSSA, 2006. While it functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, its head is a Chairperson appointed by the Central Government. The Director General of Health Services (DGHS) is a separate position within the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and is not in charge of the FSSAI.
The FSSAI is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the regulation and supervision of food safety. It sets standards for food products and regulates their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale, and import.