In exercise of the powers conferred under Sub Section 5 of Section 10 read with Section 37 of the Food Safety and Standards Act

## Food Safety Officer Appointment Amendment Report **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes a notification issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on April 11, 2022. This notification is an amendment to a prior notification from June 15, 2021, regarding the appointment of Food Safety Officers. The core purpose of this amendment is to modify the list of designated Food Safety Officers, specifically adding officers at various airports and seaports and omitting some existing entries. Key findings include the specific individuals appointed to specific locations and the removal of some previously appointed officers. This amendment is likely aimed at enhancing food safety enforcement at critical entry points. **2. Introduction:** This report provides an informative overview and analysis of the FSSAI notification issued on April 11, 2022, concerning the appointment of Food Safety Officers. The analysis is based solely on the provided policy text and aims to inform affected industries about these changes. **3. Policy Overview:** * This notification amends the principal notification published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part III, Section 4 dated June 15, 2021 (F.No. 11002015CLPortAirportEnfFSSAI). * **Core Objective (Inferred):** To ensure adequate food safety oversight and enforcement at designated entry points (airports and seaports) by appointing and designating Food Safety Officers. **4. Background and Rationale:** * **Rationale (Inferred):** The amendment likely addresses the need to update or expand food safety oversight at specific ports of entry. The removal of some officers and the addition of others suggests a possible reassessment of personnel needs or a strategic realignment of resources. The focus on airports and seaports indicates a prioritization of food safety at points of entry into the country, which is likely a response to the need to oversee imported goods. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This notification introduces the following key changes to the original policy: * **Specific Part of Original Policy Changed:** The amendment directly modifies the list of designated Food Safety Officers within the original notification's table of officers and their areas of jurisdiction. * **New Rule/Provision:** The notification adds officers to the table, specifying their names and designated areas of jurisdiction (airports and seaports). Specifically, it inserts officers at the following locations: * Cochin Airport (Dr. Aysha Manika K A) * Jaipur Airport (Dr. Malvika Sharma) * Chennai Seaport (Dr. M. Maheshwari) * Ennore Seaport (Dr. Praveen Madala) * Kolkata Airport (Dr. Sarbani Roy) * Calicut Airport (Dr. Sayoog CH) * Delhi Airport (Dr. Binay Kumar) * Goa Seaport (Dr. Ashish Mandrelle) * The notification also omits entries at serial numbers 6 and 11 in the original table. * **Difference/Effect of Change:** The addition of officers ensures food safety oversight is in place at these specific airports and seaports. The removal of officers from the original list suggests a shift in responsibility or a change in staffing. The amendment effectively alters the geographic distribution of designated Food Safety Officers. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The primary target audience and stakeholders include: * **Food importers and exporters operating through the specified airports and seaports.** These businesses will be directly affected by the enforcement activities of the newly appointed Food Safety Officers. * **The Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.** The officers being appointed are part of this directorate. * **Airport and Seaport Authorities:** These authorities will need to coordinate with the Food Safety Officers to ensure compliance. * **The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI):** FSSAI is responsible for implementing and overseeing the policy. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency:** The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is the responsible agency. The Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, provides the officers. * **Timelines/Procedures:** The amendment takes effect from the date of publication of the notification. No other specific procedures or timelines are mentioned in the text. * The Chief Executive Officer of FSSAI, Arun Singhal, is mentioned, suggesting his role in implementing this notification. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** * The intended outcome of these changes is likely to enhance food safety surveillance and enforcement at the specified airports and seaports. * The presence of designated Food Safety Officers at these locations is expected to result in: * Increased monitoring of food products entering and exiting the country. * Improved compliance with food safety standards by importers and exporters. * Potentially, faster resolution of food safety-related issues at these points of entry. * A more robust food safety system at these critical transport hubs. **9. Conclusion:** The FSSAI notification dated April 11, 2022, is a significant amendment that modifies the list of designated Food Safety Officers, specifically adding officers at various airports and seaports and removing some existing entries. This change demonstrates FSSAI's commitment to ensuring food safety at key entry points. Affected stakeholders, particularly those involved in importing and exporting food products through the specified airports and seaports, should take note of these changes and prepare for potentially increased scrutiny and enforcement of food safety regulations.

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