About Food Safety Emergency Response (FSER)
Section 16 (3) (b) (v) and (vi) of FSS Act, 2006 empowers Food Authority to search, collect, collate, analyse and summarise relevant scientific and technical data particularly relating to identification of emerging risks and introduction of rapid alert system.
FSSAI has developed a “Framework of Food Safety Emergency Response (FSER) system” vide order dated 27th October, 2020 to ensure cooperation and collaboration by all interested parties and to facilitate sharing of information among responsible agencies.
Besides, FSSAI has also developed a detailed “Guideline for investigating and managing food-borne illness outbreaks in India”, which wasshared with the enforcement authorities vide direction dated 26th October, 2021 to ensure implementation/compliance of the guidelines in accordance with the document on the framework of FSER system.
National Emergency Contact Point (NECP)&Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) Community reporting
FSSAI will function as National Emergency Contact Point (NECP) from the national authorities responsible for coordination of national food safety emergency responses. For reporting any kind of food borne illness outbreak/ food poisoning, the community reporting link of Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) can be used.
Community reporting has been created to strengthen the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program through community participation. One can report about incidence of unusual illness in their community by filling & submitting the form, along with their contact details. There is also a provision to add evidence in the form of documents. The users would require to provide their mobile number and OTP would be required at the time of submitting the information. Concerned health officials will act and may reach out to them to gather additional information as required.
Committees under Food Safety Emergency Response (FSER)
Food safety risk assessment Committee (FSRAC): FSRAC is a risk assessment bodyand shall be responsible for providing technical and scientific support both in normal oremergency situations. The committee shall provide preliminary information of riskassessment to identify emergency situations and their levels of severity in order to supportdecision making by the Food Safety Coordination Committee (FSCC) and FSSAI.The member details and key roles and responsibilities.
Food Safety Coordination Committee (FSCC): FSCC is a committee constituted by FSSAI and shall be responsible for the implementationor management of food safety emergencies. The committee shall consider information relatedto range of hazards, its magnitude and affected people while making decisions. TheCommittee may support finances and other resources, if required, for operations.
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