The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India – FSSAI is an autonomous agency regulated by the Indian government’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It is an autonomous business established by the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006, a simplified law dealing with food safety and regulation in India, is the legislation that led to the establishment of the FSSAI. The FSSAI is responsible for regulating and overseeing food safety to protect and promote public health.

The Food Corporation of India – FCI is an organization established and operated by the Government of India and state governments. The Food Corporation of India’s highest official is designated as Chairman. It purchases rice and wheat from farmers through various channels, including paddy purchase centres, mill levy, and custom milling, and keeps it in depots. FCI maintains numerous types of depots, such as food storage depots, buffer storage complexes, and private equity godowns, and has also incorporated the newest storage methods of silo storage facilities.

For more detailed Difference between FSSAI and FCI, check this table:-

S.No	Criteria	FSSAI	FCI
1.	Purpose	Regulate and Ensure Food Security & Safety Standards	Store, Procure, and Distribute Food Grains
2.	Establishment	Set Up Under the Food Safety & Standard Act, 2006	Founded In 1965
3.	Authority	Self-Governing Agency Under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare	Under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
4.	Focus	Firstly Concerned with Food & Food Safety and Regulations	Essentially Concerned with Food Grain Procurement & Distribution
5.	Function	Controls Food Business, Sets Standards, & Monitor Food Safety	Obtain Food Grains from Farmers, Distribute via PDS, Maintain Buffer-Stocks, and Other Schemes
6.	Scope	Handle a Range of Food Products and Business	Primarily Deals with Purchases, Distribution & Storage of Wheat and Rice
7.	Impact	Involve in Public Health through Food Safety Measure	Controls Food Distribution and Food Security

Food Safety and Standard Authority of India, also known as FSSAI. It is an organization discovered by the Government of India to manage the Safety and Standards of food products. It controls and monitors the distribution, packaging, processing, manufacturing, and sale of food items to guarantee that they meet the safety standards set by the government. FSSAI expands the standards for food products and helps grow public awareness about food hygiene and safety. The FSSAI aims to protect public health by ensuring the availability of safe and wholesome food for consumers in India.

For a more detailed version understanding, you can read this article: FSSAI License.

What is the FSSAI Registration Certificate?

FSSAI Registration Certification is a type of certificate that indicates the government’s authority to run your food company lawfully. Every FBO must display the FSSAI Certificate on their company premises. To learn the process of applying for an FSSAI registration certificate, click on it.

What are the Objectives of FSSAI?

The objective of the FSSAI is mentioned below:-

1. Its key objectives are to ensure food safety and to serve as a legal certification body for firms involved in food production and processing.
2. When it comes to food safety, the FSSAI has the authority to adopt several laws and regulations that are based on research and prioritize individual requirements.
3. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is empowered to develop strict standards for all food business operators to manufacture foodstuffs while considering food quality and sanitary conditions, proper storage and distribution, and regulation of food sales and imports, all of which must be done following the regulations.
4. It is in charge of educating people about national food security and safety regulations.

FCI objectives are also mentioned down. Go through it if you want to understand the difference between FSSAI & FCI; it will make it easier to understand.

Which Product Comes Under FSSAI?

Here is the list of products that come under FSSAI, look below all the items are mentioned below:-

• Oil and fats.
• Fish and fishery goods.
• Meats and meat products, including chicken.
• Sweets, confectionery, and sweeteners such as sugar and honey.
• Cereal & Cereal Product Standards.
• Multifunctional foods, dietary supplements, nutritional items, and other related items.
• Chemical and medication residues.
• Milk and dairy products.

Types of License

Contingent to the size and nature of the food business, these are the licenses issued by the government:-

1. Basic FSSAI License – Petty Food Business
2. State FSSAI License –  Medium Food Business 
3. Central FSSAI License – Large Food Business

What is FCI?

The Food Corporation of India is a governmental corporation founded and run by the Government of India, with participation from state governments. Its principal duty is to acquire rice and wheat from farmers through various channels, including paddy purchase centres, mill levies, and custom milling. Once obtained, FCI stores the grains in a variety of depots, including food storage depots, buffer storage complexes, and private equity go-downs. FCI also uses current storage systems.

What is the Objective of FCI?

The FCI’s crucial objectives, which play a pivotal role in ensuring food security, are as follows:

1. FCI aims to ensure that there is an adequate food supply. It originated as a response to the Green Revolution’s goal of achieving rice and wheat self-sufficiency.
2. As a testament to its dedication to farmers, the Food Corporation of India is committed to implementing effective price support measures. To fulfil tasks for the public distribution system and convey food goods around the country.
3. To provide enough supply of food grains for national food security.
4. FCI is critical in transitioning the food security program from one that is crisis-driven to one that is consistent. Some of these include:
5. Give farmers proper recompense.
6. Maintain food grains at a reasonable price for the benefit of society’s most vulnerable citizens.

What is the Role of FCI?

FCI stands for Food Corporation of India, and it significantly plays an important role in distribution arrangements. 

• FCI purchases food grains from farmers, such as rice and wheat, to ensure fair pricing and agricultural stability.
• It maintains a wide network of storage facilities to keep bought food grains safe and sanitary, preventing spoiling and waste.
• FCI is in charge of distributing food grains to the different states and union territories, providing a steady and equal supply throughout the country.
• FCI manages food grain buffer reserves to keep prices stable, cover emergency needs, and avoid shortages during times of crisis.
• The agency runs the PDS, which delivers discounted food grains to eligible beneficiaries, particularly the economically disadvantaged, to guarantee food security for all.
• FCI plays an important role in stabilizing food prices by controlling supply and demand, hence minimizing unexpected surges.

If you are confused about the difference between FSSAI and FCI, then check out the table given above, which will make it simple to know the difference.

What are the Major Role Undertaken By FCI?

The primary tasks of FCI are to acquire, store, transfer, distribute, and sell food grains on behalf of the government. FCI’s objectives include:

1.  Effective price support activities to protect farmers’ interests. 
2.  Food grain distribution across the country through the public distribution system.

What is the purpose of FSSAI & FCI?

There is a difference between FSSAI and FCI, but the purpose of both FSSAI & FCI is similar to each other when it comes to serving the community with the best quality food and addressing the population’s health and life.

What is Important in FSSAI & FCI?

FSSAI and FCI both work on food management and security mechanisms. The FSSAI controls food safety conditions, whereas the FCI assures the supply and distribution of high-quality food grains to the poorest members of society. 

FCI in the Times of COVID-19

In the bad times of Covid-19, FCI has played a crucial role in controlling food security and supplies. The government announced the coronavirus (COVID-19) relief packages of 1.7 lakh crore on March 26 2020, and It is also accompanied by Rs. 20 lakh crore packages declared on May 12, 2020.

The primary goal of this plan is to help the public who are not capable of their own, so it’s a valuable gesture by the honorable government. 

The FCI supports and helps maintain a supply of food grain stock all over the country to fulfill the state-government demand to offer food to help people who are affected by COVID-19.

Conclusion – Difference Between FSSAI and FCI

Although the FSSAI and FCI make substantial contributions to the Indian food environment, their roles, duties, and purposes are very different. The primary distinction between FSSAI and FCI is that FCI ensures food security and price stability by purchasing, storing, and distributing essential food grains. In contrast, FSSAI promotes public health by maintaining food safety and quality standards across a wide range of food products. Understanding those disparities is necessary for properly providing and regulating India’s food industry and ensuring the well-being of its population. To comply with government regulations, all food business owners must get an FSSAI license. Elt corporate regulatory services assist you in obtaining an FSSAI license quickly and at a reasonable cost.