FSSAI Strengthens Cold Chain Requirements for Perishable Food Products

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a fresh advisory directing food businesses to maintain prescribed temperature conditions while handling, storing and transporting perishable food products, including paneer, khoa, meat and fish.The advisory, dated October 15, highlights the importance of maintaining an uninterrupted cold chain from procurement and processing to storage, distribution and final delivery. Exposure to unsuitable temperatures can accelerate microbial growth, increase spoilage risks and compromise consumer safety.

Under the advisory, food business operators must use clean, covered and hygienic vehicles suitable for food transportation. Products must be packed in food-grade materials and protected against dust, moisture, pests, physical damage and cross-contamination during loading, unloading and transit.

Businesses involved in manufacturing, packing, warehousing, transportation, distribution and retail must also maintain consignment records and traceability documents, including invoices, for verification by the competent authorities.

FSSAI has called on state food safety commissioners, Indian Railways and its regional directors to strengthen monitoring through inspections and transportation checks. Non-compliance may lead to regulatory action, including the seizure and destruction of unsafe food products.

The advisory reinforces the need for robust cold-chain infrastructure and temperature-monitoring practices across India's food supply network, particularly for dairy, meat and seafood businesses handling products with limited shelf life.