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

## Policy Analysis Report: Food Safety Officer Notification under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes a notification issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regarding the designation of Food Safety Officers (FSO) under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Specifically, this is an amendment to a previous notification, appointing an additional FSO within the Western Railways. This amendment likely aims to strengthen food safety monitoring and enforcement within the Indian Railways system. The key change is the addition of Sh. Shailendra O Pareek to the list of designated FSOs, posted at Western Railways. This report provides a detailed analysis of the amendment, its background, implications, and expected outcomes based solely on the text provided. **2. Introduction:** This report aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the FSSAI notification published on March 2, 2022, concerning the appointment of a Food Safety Officer. The analysis is strictly based on the information contained within the provided text and aims to inform stakeholders about the specifics of this amendment. **3. Policy Overview:** * **Amendment to:** Principal notification dated April 18, 2017, published in the Gazette of India. (F. No. 142 2011RailwaysFSSAI PartI) * **Core Objective(s):** Based on the text, the core objective is to ensure the effective implementation of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, by designating specific officers responsible for food safety within the Indian Railways. This amendment specifically aims to further this objective by increasing the number of designated FSOs. **4. Background and Rationale:** This notification is an amendment, meaning it alters a pre-existing policy. The likely reason for this specific amendment is to bolster food safety oversight within the Indian Railways. Adding an FSO in Western Railways suggests a need for increased monitoring or enforcement in that specific region of the rail network. It could be due to increased traffic, specific food safety concerns, or a general effort to enhance regulatory coverage. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This is an amendment notification; therefore, the focus is on the changes it introduces: * **Specific Part of Original Policy Changed:** The notification amends the list of designated Food Safety Officers under Indian Railways established in the principal notification dated April 18, 2017. * **New Rule/Provision:** The primary change is the addition of the following entry to the table of designated FSOs: | Sr. No. | Name of FSO | Place of posting | Railway | | ------- | ---------------------- | ---------------- | ---------------- | | 97 | Sh. Shailendra O Pareek | | Western Railways | * **Difference/Effect of this Change:** This addition expands the FSSAI's regulatory capacity within the Western Railways zone. It assigns responsibility for food safety to a specific individual, Sh. Shailendra O Pareek, within that geographic area. This is likely intended to improve monitoring, inspection, and enforcement of food safety standards, potentially leading to improved food safety compliance within Western Railways. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The primary target audience and stakeholders directly affected by this amendment include: * **Indian Railways (specifically Western Railways):** The entity within which the new FSO will be operating. * **Food vendors and suppliers operating within Western Railways:** These entities will be subject to increased scrutiny and enforcement by the newly appointed FSO. * **Passengers using the Western Railways:** Ultimately, the goal is to protect their health and safety by ensuring compliance with food safety standards. * **Sh. Shailendra O Pareek:** The newly appointed Food Safety Officer. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is the responsible body for issuing the notification and overseeing its implementation. Western Railways is also a responsible body as it is the organization the FSO will be working within. * **Timelines/Procedures:** The notification states that the appointment of the FSO is effective from the date of publication of the notification (March 2, 2022). No specific procedures are detailed *within this text*, but it can be inferred that the FSO will operate under the existing guidelines and regulations established by the FSSAI and Indian Railways for food safety. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcome of this specific amendment is to improve food safety within the Western Railways network. This could manifest as: * **Increased monitoring and inspection of food vendors and suppliers.** * **Improved compliance with food safety standards.** * **Reduced risk of foodborne illnesses among passengers.** * **Enhanced public confidence in the safety of food served on Western Railways.** **9. Conclusion:** The FSSAI notification analyzed in this report represents a targeted effort to strengthen food safety within the Indian Railways system. By appointing an additional Food Safety Officer to the Western Railways, the FSSAI aims to improve regulatory oversight, ensure compliance with food safety standards, and ultimately protect the health and safety of passengers. This amendment demonstrates a commitment to the ongoing improvement of food safety practices within the Indian Railways network. While this report is based solely on the provided text and therefore limited, the addition of a dedicated FSO signifies a proactive approach to managing food safety risks.

Key Entities Referenced