Mumbai, Oct. 23 -- The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has directed food business operators (FBOs) to ensure that perishable foods, including khoa, paneer, meat and fish, are transported and stored in hygienic conditions. The regulator issued the advisory on October 15, warning that inadequate temperature control can affect food safety.
The advisory said such products are highly susceptible to microbial growth and spoilage when they are not kept at appropriate temperatures. It called for the required conditions to be maintained throughout the supply chain, from procurement to delivery to the end consumer, so that food safety is not compromised during transit or storage.
FSSAI said some perishable food items were not being handled, stored or transported under suitable temperature conditions. It said exposing products to unsuitable temperatures can adversely affect food safety and public health, and constitutes non-compliance with the hygiene and sanitary requirements prescribed by the authority.
The regulator also instructed FBOs to use only food-grade packaging materials and suitable secondary packaging for these products. It cautioned that gunny bags and other non-food-grade coverings used for packing or transport can compromise product safety and should be avoided. Packaging, the advisory noted, must be appropriate for the food being handled.
The directions cover the handling, storage and transportation of perishable foods across the supply chain, placing responsibility on food businesses to maintain appropriate conditions until products reach consumers. The advisory reinforces the need for hygienic practices alongside temperature management, particularly for foods that can deteriorate quickly and support microbial growth when improperly handled.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.