FSSAI Proposes to Do Away with Agmark Registration for Some Edible Oils

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has released a draft notification suggesting the elimination of Agmark registration for edible oils from multiple sources. In this article, you can read more about this development. This topic is relevant for the IAS exam GS papers II & III.

What is Agmark?

Agmark is a certification mark used in India to indicate that a product has met certain quality standards. 

• It is administered by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).
• AGMARK is a certification mark for agricultural produce, assuring that they conform to a grade standard notified by the Directorate of Marketing & Inspection (DMI), Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare under Agricultural Produce (Grading Marking) Act, 1937.

About the proposed change:

• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed to do away with Agmark registration for edible oils sourced from multiple sources. 
• This would mean that only an FSSAI licence would be required for such edible oils, and a separate Agmark registration would not be necessary.

Why is the change being proposed?

• The FSSAI has said that the proposed change would facilitate ease of doing business and reduce the multiplicity of laws that govern the food sector. 
• It would also align with the stated objective of ‘one nation, one law’.

Industry’s reaction to the proposed change:

• The edible oil industry has welcomed the proposed change. 
• The Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA) has said that the change would simplify things and is good for the industry and the country.

What are the implications of the proposed change?

• The proposed change would have a number of implications, including:
  • It would make it easier for businesses to sell edible oils.
  • It would reduce the cost of compliance for businesses.
  • It would make it easier for consumers to identify quality edible oils.

Conclusion: 

• The proposed change by FSSAI to do away with Agmark registration for edible oils is a positive step that would facilitate ease of doing business and reduce the multiplicity of laws that govern the food sector. 
• It would also align with the stated objective of one nation, one law. The edible oil industry has welcomed the proposed change.

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