Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Jun 17: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has issued an advisory directing all food business operators across India to immediately replace rusted, corroded and damaged knives and blades with corrosion-free, food-grade equipment in order to prevent contamination during food handling and processing operations.

In its advisory, the regulator noted that several food businesses were using rusted, chipped, painted, damaged or otherwise unsuitable knives, blades and cutting tools during food preparation, processing, slicing, cutting and packaging activities.

FSSAI warned that the use of such damaged or inadequately cleaned equipment could result in physical, chemical and microbiological contamination of food, in violation of the sanitary and hygienic requirements prescribed under Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011.

Food business operators have been instructed to ensure strict compliance with the use of only food-grade, corrosion-resistant knives, blades and cutting equipment in all food handling operations.
“All rusted, corroded, or damaged equipment must be immediately removed from use and replaced,” the advisory stated, adding that adequate cleaning, sanitisation and sterilisation procedures must be mandatorily followed wherever applicable.

The advisory further said that appropriate action may be initiated in cases of non-compliance under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the regulations framed thereunder.

FSSAI emphasised that the directive aims to strengthen food safety standards and prevent unsafe equipment from compromising consumer health during food preparation, processing and packaging activities across the country.