Difference between FSSAI and FDA Maharashtra
Key Difference: The FSSAI stands for Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, whereas the FDA Maharashtra stands for Food and Drug Administration, Maharashtra. While, the FSSAI has jurisdiction all over India, FDA Maharashtra only had jurisdiction within the state of Maharashtra.
The FSSAI and FDA Maharashtra are two different agencies that serve a similar purpose, due to which it gets quite easy to confuse the two. Both the agencies are responsible for public health. Food and drugs play a central role in the health of the public. However, not all food and drugs meet the expected safety criteria in order to be safe to consume for the public. Many companies often skimp on safety and quality in order to make profit. Agencies such as the FSSAI and FDA Maharashtra ensure that this does not happen; that companies do not endanger the public for their own profit.
While the purpose of FSSAI and FDA Maharashtra are more or less similar, they are two different agencies, and hence do have certain differences between them. Firstly, the FSSAI stands for Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, whereas the FDA Maharashtra stands for Food and Drug Administration, Maharashtra. As their name also suggests the region of their scope and autonomy are different. While, the FSSAI has jurisdiction all over India, FDA Maharashtra only had jurisdiction within the state of Maharashtra.
There was once a time when there was legal agency or law that maintained the quality of food and drugs within the country. Eventually law makers realized the need for such as law and passed the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act in 1954. While the law existed, there was no one to enforce the law. Hence, in 1970 the Government of Maharashtra tasked this duty to the FDA.
However, as it reported to the Government of Maharashtra, it only had jurisdiction within the state of Maharashtra. This led to problems at goods are often imported/exported and sold throughout the country, as well as internationally. There was still no agency that regulated food, drugs, and other goods throughout the country. Eventually, the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 was passed. It was intended to be and is ‘a consolidating statute related to food safety and regulation in India.’ Correspondently, in 2011, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India established the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) as an autonomous body responsible for enforcing the act, as well as ‘protecting and promoting public health through the regulation and supervision of food safety.’
Hence, it can be said that the FSSAI has a bigger jurisdiction than the FDA Maharashtra. While, the FDA Maharashtra used to be the law, it must now refer back to the FSSAI which has more power and the backing of the Indian government at its disposal. The FSSAI is responsible for laying down science-based standards for articles of food, as well as to regulate manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import of food, and to facilitate food safety.
Food manufacturers and distributors must register with the FSSAI for accreditation. They must also maintain their level of standard as defined by the FSSAI and meet with all their basic requirements. Foods that are sold with the accreditation of the FSSAI are usually stamped with “FSSAI” approved. Eateries in the state of Maharashtra must register with the FDA Maharashtra which will ensure that they maintain certain levels of hygiene and that the food they serve is safe to eat.
Comparison between FSSAI and FDA Maharashtra:
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FSSAI |
FDA Maharashtra |
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Stands for |
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) |
Food and Drug Administration, Maharashtra |
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Formed |
2011 |
1970 |
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Region |
India |
Maharashtra, India |
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Parent Company |
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India |
the Government of Maharashtra |
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Type of Agency |
Federal Agency |
State Agency |
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Jurisdiction |
All over India |
Over the state of Maharashtra |
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Purpose |
Public Safety and Health |
Public Safety and Health |
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Roles and Duties |
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Reference: Wikipedia (FSSAI and FDA Maharashtra), FSSAI, FDA Maharashtra, Indian Express Image Courtesy: fssai.gov.in, maharashtra.gov.in
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