FSSAI to keep strict monitoring of animal feed

FSSAI is going to bring the subject of animal feed under the FSS Act to deal with the nationwide problem of undernutrition of children. During a survey in milk-producing dairies, FSSAI found contaminants like Aflatoxin-M1 which can cause severe health hazards among consumers. Therefore, they have directed that animal feed for food-producing animals must comply with BIS.

New Delhi: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued an advisory to bring the subject of animal feed under Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006 in order to stop the nationwide problem of undernutrition of children.

Besides this, the food safety regulator has also issued a direction that animal feed for food-producing animals must comply with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

"Feed control need to be dealt like food control. So to regulate feed, we have issued instructions to regulate private diaries," said FSSAI CEO Pawan Agarwal.

After admitting the fact that milk-producing dairies have contents which could create health hazards, Agarwal said that a milk survey done by FSSAI has found contaminants like Aflatoxin-M1.

"High percentage of Aflatoxin-M1 causes severe health hazards...the undernutrition of children is duo to Aflatoxin-M1," said Agarwal.

The FSSAI directory further said that no commercial activities with respect to animal feed can be undertaken except under BIS certification.

FSSAI is examining the possibilities of framing feed regulations supported with appropriate amendments in the FSS Act, said Agarwal.

He claimed that animal feed being sold in India has been under the scanner of FSSAI for some time, and due to contamination of the feed, the milk produced by animals was found having strong traces of Aflatoxin-M1, which is carcinogenic.

Ironically, malnutrition is also a predominant risk factor for death in children younger than five years in every state of India in 2017, accounting for 68.2 per cent of the total under-5 deaths, translating into 706,000 deaths due to malnutrition, he added.

This was found in a nationwide survey conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) and National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), he said.

According to the findings, of the malnutrition continues unabated, there would be 8.9 per cent excess prevalence for low birth weight, 11.7 per cent for anaemia in children and 13.8 per cent for anaemia in women relative to the 2022 targets, Agarwal added.

Meanwhile, FSSAI CEO Agarwal said that they have received suggestions over their initiatives to ban 'junk food' within the 50 meters area of school premises.

"We have received suggestions and now we are internally examining it before sending our take to the Health Ministry," said Agarwal.

The FSSAI had earlier asked for a suggestion on the initiative to stop selling or advertising of any 'junk food' within the 50 meters area of school premises.