The Hindu Business Line : Changes in foods safety Bill urged

THE Tamil Nadu Foodgrain Merchants Association while welcoming the Union Government's move to introduce a comprehensive `Food Safety and Standards Bill 2005,' has pointed out in a memorandum that the Bill has been drafted with the multinational companies in view, neglecting the interests of trade, small scale, tiny and cottage industries as well as retail trade.

With the food processing industry holding tremendous potential and opportunities for growth, the Government's policy while aiming to attract foreign investments, should not be detrimental in nature under any circumstances. The prescribed procedures and provisions in the bill are extremely severe and the quantum of fines fixed are fabulous and required drastic modifications, it said and suggested certain modifications for consideration.

These include vesting of sample drawing powers with officers with a gazetted rank at the minimum instead of Food Inspectors and Enforcement Officers and appointment of a review committee to revise the standards prescribed to be in tune with the present-day conditions.

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