FSSAI points advisory on improper disposal of seized, rejected and expired meals objects

The Meals Security and Requirements Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued an advisory on environmentally compliant disposal of improperly disposed of seized, rejected and expired meals objects in rivers and different water our bodies.

“As per the Meals Security and Requirements Act, 2006, and the laws framed thereunder, the right dealing with and disposal of rejected, expired, or seized meals objects are essential in stopping well being dangers, misuse throughout the provide chain, and environmental hurt. Earlier directives from FSSAI, together with the rules dated 21.12.2020, outlined the process for disposal of seized meals articles in accordance with the provisions undersection 38(4) & 47(4) of the FSS Act 2006 and in circumstances the place the regulation permits and the Adjudicating officer/court docket so orders for disposal of the seized articles by destruction,” sources advised ANI.

The advisory has been issued to all State/UT Commissioners of Meals Security and all regional administrators of FSSAI.

“Just lately, there have been reviews of cases the place seized, rejected, or expired meals objects have been improperly disposed of by being dumped instantly into rivers and different pure water our bodies. In view of the above, the sooner directives dated December 21, 2020, are reiterated,” learn the advisory.

“To make sure correct disposal of perishable, seized, and rejected meals objects, all of the Designated Officers, Meals Security Officers, and enforcement groups beneath their respective jurisdiction are additionally directed to observe the process to forestall any recurrence of such incidents and to keep up full compliance with the prescribed norms,” it mentioned.

“It’s strictly prohibited to get rid of seized, rejected, or expired meals objects, together with their packaging, into rivers, lakes, pure water our bodies, or open lands beneath any circumstances,’ it added.

It additional acknowledged, “The Permitted Disposal Strategies, which can be adopted in coordination with the native municipal authority/ panchayat or every other statutory our bodies, which incorporates RCD-02005/10/2024-Regulatory-FSSAI-Half(1) I/32037/2025 however not restricted to: Incineration: Use approved incinerators compliant with Central Air pollution Management Board (CPCB) norms, making certain full combustion and preserve data of the ability used.”

In accordance with the advisory, “Solely in designated sanitary landfills with leachate management, biodegradable waste must be segregated and composted the place possible. Biodegradable Waste, like compost or anaerobically digested natural matter, via licensed services.”

Below Procedural Safeguards, “The disposal shall be supervised by the Meals Security Officer (FSO)/ officer duly authorised by the Designated Officer. Disposals must be completed beneath video documentation, within the presence of two impartial witnesses. The certificates of disposal shall be submitted by the involved FSO/ officer supervising the disposal of the mentioned article/merchandise seized to the designated officer, with a replica to the involved Commissioner of Meals Security and the involved Meals Enterprise Operator (FBO) . Each Designated Officer shall determine appropriate services for incineration/manuring/composting or every other disposal technique and furnish a listing to the Commissioner of Meals Security of the involved State/UT. Coordinate with State Air pollution Management Boards for high-volume disposals,” it mentioned.

The monitoring and reporting is obligatory by States/UTs month-to-month, “States/UTs should submit month-to-month disposal compliance reviews to FSSAI by the fifth of the next month, flagging any deviations.”

“These points with the approval of the Competent Authority for compliance are needed,” it mentioned.