FSSAI to bring animal feed under FSSA; insists on BIS compliance
Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has decided to bring the subject of animal feed under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and issued a direction that animal feed for food producing animals must comply with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
The direction further states that no commercial activities with respect to animal feed can be undertaken except under BIS certification. The direction reveals, “FSSAI is examining the possibilities of framing feed regulations supported with appropriate amendments in the FSS Act. And to address the issue on an interim basis, it has been decided that commercial feeds, feed materials given to the animal producing food shall comply with the relevant BIS standards.” The direction added that such feed shall not be manufactured, imported, distributed and sold except under the BIS certification mark.
The animal feed being sold in India has been under scanner of the apex food authority for some time, and due to contamination of the feed, the milk produced by animals was found having traces of Aflatoxin M1, which is carcinogenic.
According to Mr. P. Karthikeyan, Deputy Director, Regulations, FSSAI, in recent times it has been noted that foods of animal origin were found to be non-compliant with the relevant food quality and safety standards laid down under the FSS Act, particularly with respect to pesticides, heavy metals and Aflatoxin M1. The major source of these contaminants is largely through feed and fodder and therefore the regulatory control to ensure quality and safety of animal feed and silage is urgently needed.