Suggestions invited for changes to food safety law

New Delhi, Nov 20 : The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has invited suggestions and objections for amendments to the Food and Safety Standards (Contaminants, Toxins, Residues) Regulations, 2011, said an official statement on Monday.

The last date of sending suggestions and objections is December 6.

The objections and suggestions received would be placed before the Scientific Panel of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India on Residues of Pesticides and Antibiotics for consideration, said the statement.

According to the ministry, the recommendations of the scientific panel would be considered by the scientific committee and then the food authority for approval, after which it would be notified in the Gazette of India with the approval of the Health Minister.

This notification contains maximum permissible limits of various antibiotics in meat and meat products, including chicken.

Maximum permissible limits of 37 antibiotics and 67 other veterinary drugs are prescribed for chicken.