New Delhi, June 18 (IANS). The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Thursday said it has directed food businesses across the country to use only ‘food-grade’ and rust-proof knives, blades and other cutting tools while handling and processing food items.
In the instructions issued by the food regulator, it expressed concern over reports that some food businessmen are using rusty, worn out, broken, painted, damaged or unfit for use in any way cutting tools in cooking, processing, cutting, packaging and related works.
According to FSSAI, the use of such equipment poses a serious threat to food safety as it can lead to physical, chemical and microbiological contamination of food products.
The regulator said this practice is in clear violation of the hygiene requirements specified in Schedule 4 of the ‘Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011’.
The regulator further said that as per the existing food safety regulations, all equipment, utensils and food contact surfaces used in handling, preparation, processing, packaging and storage of food should be made of food-grade, non-toxic and corrosion-resistant materials.
FSSAI has directed food businesses to ensure that all knives, blades and cutting implements are in good hygienic condition and free from rust, defects, cracks, chipping, wear and tear of paint, wear or any other defect which may cause contamination of food.
The instructions also said that wherever necessary, regular cleaning, sanitization and sterilization of such equipment should be done.
FSSAI also advised businesses to immediately remove and replace rusted, damaged or unusable cutting tools to prevent the risk of contamination.
Warning of strict action against those violating the rules, FSSAI said that non-compliance of the advisory could lead to penalty under the provisions of the ‘Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006’.
–IANS
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