Question 93 from UPSC CSE 2018 - Current Affairs/Gener al awareness

Question

Consider the following statements:
1. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954.
2. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is under the charge of Director General of Health Services in the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. 1 only

Strategy: * Focus on institutional responsibilities and historical transitions in food safety legislation.
* Statement 1 aligns with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which replaced earlier acts like the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954.
* Statement 2 is incorrect: FSSAI is an independent statutory authority with its own leadership (Chairperson and CEO), not headed by the Director General of Health Services, despite operating under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Key Info: The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, was enacted to consolidate various food-related laws in India and establish a single regulatory authority for food safety. It repealed earlier legislations, including the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, and merged responsibilities from multiple agencies.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is under the charge of Director General of Health Services in the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

FSSAI is responsible for framing standards for food articles and regulating their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale, and import, ensuring safe and wholesome food for human consumption. Previously, enforcement under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act was mainly overseen by the Directorate General of Health Services. With FSSAI's constitution, independent regulatory authority was ensured, and the Director General of Health Services no longer oversees its functions.

FSSAI's headquarters are in New Delhi, and it operates regional offices across India.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: 2 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: Both 1 and 2

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: Neither 1 nor 2