Question 23
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?
AOptions
BSolution
Statement 1 is correct: The Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006, was enacted to consolidate the laws relating to food and to establish the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Upon its enactment, it repealed and replaced several older food-related acts and orders, including the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, along with seven other laws.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is an autonomous statutory body established under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. It functions independently under its own Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), appointed by the Central Government. It is not under the direct charge of the Director General of Health Services; rather, both FSSAI and DGHS are distinct entities under the same ministry.
CStrategy
For questions on acts and regulatory bodies, understand their foundational legal instrument (which act replaced which, or which act established it) and their organizational structure or reporting lines. Distinguish between an autonomous body and one directly 'under the charge' of another official within the same ministry.
DSyllabus Analysis
This question falls under Indian Polity and Governance (Statutory Bodies, Acts, and Ministries) and Health & Food Security issues.
EQuestion Analysis
Medium. It requires specific knowledge about the legislative history of food safety laws and the administrative structure of the FSSAI.