Procedure for taking sample and manner of sending it for analysis –

The Food Safety Officer while taking sample of food for analysis under clause A of Sub Section 1 of Section 38 and Section 47 (except 47 (5)) of the Act, shall also follow the procedure specified hereunder;-
1.shall call one or more witnesses at the time of lifting of the samples
2.Obtain the signatures from the witnesses in all the forms and documents prepared
3.Serve the notice in Form V A to the business operator then and there
4.in case the food business operator discloses that the product has been obtained from the manufacturer, the distributor or supplier, a notice shall also be given to such manufacturer, distributor or supplier,
5.in case where the sample is drawn from an open container, the person drawing the sample shall also draw a sample from a container in original condition of the same article bearing the same declaration, if such container is available, and intimate the same to the Food Analyst.
6.Where a Food Safety Officer or the purchaser takes a sample of an article of food for analysis, he shall pay, the cost of such sample, to the person from whom the sample is taken, calculated at the rate at which the article is sold to the public.
7.Sample of article of Food for the purpose of analysis shall be taken in clean dry bottles or jars or in other suitable containers which shall be closed to prevent leakage, evaporation or to avoid entrance of moisture in case of dry substance and shall be carefully sealed.
Provided, if a sealed package marketed by the manufacturer/Food Business Operator is taken as sample, further sealing in separate containers will not be required.
8.All bottles or jars or other containers containing the samples for analysis shall be properly labeled and the parcel shall be properly addressed. The label on any sample of food sent for analysis shall bear
Code number of the sample
Name of the sender with his official designation III. Date and place of collection
Nature of articles being sent for analysis
Nature and quantity of preservative, if any, added to the sample.
9.The samples will be packed and sealed in the manner prescribed hereunder :
Sample shall be divided into four parts or take four already sealed packages and mark and seal or fasten up each part in such a manner as its nature permits and take the signature or thumb impression of the person from whom the sample has been taken on the label mentioned in 2.4.1.8
The stopper/cap shall first be securely fastened so as to prevent leakage of the contents in transit
The bottle, jar or other container shall then be completely wrapped in fairly strong thick paper. The ends of the paper shall be neatly folded in and affixed by means of gum or other adhesive.
A paper slip of the size that goes round completely from the bottom to top of the container, bearing the signature of the Designated Officer or any officer authorized by Food Safety commissioner and code number of the sample, shall be pasted on the wrapper. The signature or thumb impression of the person from whom the sample has been taken, shall be affixed in such a manner that the paper slip and the wrapper both carry a part of this signature or the thumb impression Provided that in case the person from whom the sample is taken refuses to affix his signature or thumb impression, the signature or thumb impression of one or more witnesses shall be taken in the same manner Provided further that in case the paper slip containing the signature of the Designated Officer is of such a size that it does not cover completely from the bottom to the top of the container, the Food Safety Officer shall affix additional sheet/s of paper to the slip containing the signature of the Designated Officer so as to cover the container completely and the Food Safety Officer shall affix his signature on each of the joints for the purpose of identification. Provided also further that where the purchaser or an Authorized Officer draws the sample no such paper slip shall be required to be affixed
The paper cover shall be further secured by means of strong twine or thread both above and across the bottle, jar or other container and the twine or thread shall then be fastened on the paper cover by means of sealing wax on which there shall be distinct and clear impression of the seal of the sender, of which one shall be at the top of the packet, one at the bottom and the other two on the body of the packet. The knots of the twine or thread shall be covered by means of sealing wax bearing the impression of the seal of the sender.
10.The containers of the samples shall be dispatched forthwith in the following manner
the sealed container of one part of the sample for analysis along with memorandum in Form VI shall be sent in a sealed packet to the Food Analyst under appropriate condition to retain the integrity of the sample.
the sealed container of the second and third parts of the sample and two copies of memorandum in Form VI shall be sent to the Designated Officer by any suitable means and
the sealed container of the remaining fourth part of the sample and a copy of memorandum in Form VI shall be sent to an accredited laboratory along with fee prescribed by the Authority, if so requested by the Food Business Operator, under intimation to the Designated Officer Provided that fourth part also shall be deposited with Designated Officer if Food business Operator does not request to send the sample to an accredited lab.
for lifting a sample for testing microbiological parameters, the method of lifting sample, type of container, temperature to be maintained, method of transportation and any other condition to maintain the integrity of the sample shall be notified by the Food Authority from time to time.
11.The Food Safety Officer shall send to the Food Analyst to whom the sealed container of first part of the sample was sent, a copy of the memorandum and specimen impression of the seal used to seal the packet and the same shall be sent forthwith.
12.The Food Safety Officer or the Authorized Officer, while taking sample for the purpose of analysis under the provisions of the Act except in the case where the sample is meant for microbiological testing/ analysis, may add to the sample, a preservative as may be prescribed from time to time in the regulations for the purpose of maintaining it in a condition suitable for analysis.
13.Whenever any preservative is added to a sample, the nature and quantity of the preservative added shall be clearly noted on the label to be affixed to the container.
14.The quantity of sample of food to be sent to the Food Analyst / Referral lab for analysis shall be as specified in regulations by the Food Authority: Explanation: Foods sold in packaged condition (sealed container or package) shall be sent for analysis in its original condition without opening the package as far as practicable, to constitute approximate quantity along with original label. In case of bulk packages, wherever preservatives are to be added as per the requirement under these rules, the sample shall be taken after opening sealed container or package in the presence of the Food Business Operator or in case of his refusal, in the presence of one or more witnesses and the contents of the original label shall also be sent along with the sample for analysis. However, such samples shall not be used for microbiological analysis
15.Where food is sold or stocked for sale or for distribution in sealed containers having identical label declaration, the contents of one or more of such containers as may be required to satisfy the quantity prescribed, shall be treated to be a part of the sample.
16.The quantity of sample of food packaging material to be sent to the Food Analyst /Director of referral lab for analysis shall be as specified below:-

Name of food packaging material	Approximate quantity/surface area to be supplied
Food packaging material when sample is taken from manufacturer.	8 x 1000 x 9 sq.cm. surface area.”
When sample is taken from small consumer packages	Complete packaging material used for one container.

17.Notwithstanding anything contained in Rule 2.4.1 (15) the quantity of sample sent for analysis shall be considered as sufficient unless the Food Analyst reports to the contrary. For the purpose of the Rule 2.4.1, if the sample is taken for Surveillance purposes, the procedure illustrated under this rule shall not be followed

Analysis of food samples by Food Analyst
1.On receipt of the package containing a sample of food for analysis, the Food Analyst or an officer authorized by him shall compare the seals on the container and the outer cover with specimen impression of seal received separately and shall note the condition of the seal thereon.
2.Food laboratories including mobile food laboratories wherever required, may be established or notified by the Central/State Government for the purpose of testing food samples received from the Food Safety Officer/ purchaser.
3.If the sample container received by the Food Analyst is found to be in broken condition or unfit for analysis, he shall, within a period of seven days from the date of receipt of such sample, inform the Designated Officer about the same and request him to send the second part of the sample for analysis.
4.On receipt of requisition from the Food Analyst pursuant to Rule 2.4.2 (3) the Designated Officer, shall by the succeeding working day, dispatch to the Food Analyst for analysis one part of the samples sent to him by the Food Safety Officer.
5.On receipt of the sample, the Food Analyst shall analyse or cause to be analysed the sample and send the analysis report mentioning the method of analysis. The analysis report shall be as per Form VII A and four copies of the same shall be sent to the Designated Officer under whose jurisdiction the Food Safety Officer functions or the purchaser of article of food. The analysis report shall be signed by the Food Analyst and such report shall be sent within fourteen days of the receipt of the sample by the Food Analyst.
6.The Designated Officer shall keep two copies of analysis report for further action, one copy shall be sent to Food Safety Officer for record and one copy to Food business Operator from whom the sample was taken. Provided that in case the sample cannot be analysed within fourteen days of its receipt, the Food Analyst shall inform the Designated Officer and the Commissioner of Food Safety giving reasons and specifying the time to be taken for analysis.
7.The manuals of the method of analysis, as amended/adopted by the Authority from time to time including AOAC/ ISO/Pearson’s/Jacob/IUPAC/Food Chemicals CODEX/BIS/Woodmen/Winton-Winton/Joslyn, shall be used for analyzing the samples of food articles. However, in case the method for analyzing any parameter is not available in these manuals, a validated method of analysis prescribed by internationally recognized/analytical/regulatory agencies, shall be adopted

Action by Designated Officer on the report of Food Analyst
If, after considering the report, the Designated Officer is of the opinion for reason(s) to be recorded in writing, that the report delivered by the Food Analyst under Rule 2.4.2 (5) is erroneous, he shall forward one of the parts of the sample kept by him to referral laboratory, for analysis and if the analysis report of such referral laboratory is to the effect that the article of food is unsafe or sub-standard or mis-branded or containing extraneous matter, the provisions of Rule 3.1 shall, so far as may be, apply.

Purchasers may have the food analysed
1.A Purchaser of food article may, if he so desires, have the article analysed by the Food Analyst according to the procedure notified by the Food Authority.
2.If the Purchaser desires to have the food article purchased by him to be analysed by the Food Analyst, he shall give a notice in writing, then and there, in Form V B of his intention to have it so analysed to the person from whom he has purchased the food article.
3.The provisions of Rule 2.4.1 shall mutatis mutandis apply except 2.4.1 (9) (i, iv) , 10 (ii, iii), 11, and 16 and with the modification that the samples shall be divided into two parts or two already sealed packages will be taken each of which will be marked and sealed or fastened up in such a manner as its nature permits and the signature or thumb impression of the person from whom the sample has been taken or a witness will be affixed on the label mentioned in 2.4.1 (8). The purchaser will forward one part of the sample to the Food Analyst and the other to the Designated Officer which can be used in the event of appeal by the Food Business Operator against the finding of the report of the Food Analyst.
4.The Purchaser shall pay the prescribed fee to the Food Analyst for carrying out the analysis.
5.The Food Analyst shall send to the Purchaser his report on analysis of the article of food and if the finding of the report is to the effect that the article of food is adulterated/misbranded/contaminated or does not conform to the standards prescribed under the Act or the Regulations, the Food Analyst shall also send his report in triplicate, to the Designated Officer of the area in which the article of food was purchased, besides sending a copy of the Report to the Purchaser.
The report of the Food Analyst shall be sent within 14 days of the receipt of the article of food for analysis and such report shall be in Form VII A

Food business operator’s right to have the food analysed
1.In case the Food business operator from whom the sample has been taken or the person whose name and address and other particulars have been disclosed under Rule 2.5 of these rules, desires to have the fourth part of the sample analysed, he shall request the Food Safety Officer in writing to send the sample to any NABL accredited/ FSSAI notified laboratory for analysis under intimation to the Designated Officer.
2.The Food Safety Officer shall send the sample to a NABL accredited/FSSAI notified laboratory, under intimation to the Designated Officer forthwith, in the manner prescribed under Rule 2.4.1. Provided that the cost of testing by the accredited lab will be borne by the Food Business Operator or the person identified under Rule 2.5. The payment shall be made by the Food Business Operator through Bank draft or online transfer or treasury chalan or any other suitable means as specified by the Designated Officer. Provided further that the Accredited lab where the Food Safety Officer will send the sample, should be within the state or the neighboring state wherever available
3.The Food Analyst in-charge of the accredited laboratory shall analyse the sample within fourteen days from the date of the receipt of the sample Provided that in case the sample cannot be analysed within fourteen days from the date of its receipt, the Food Analyst/in-charge of the accredited laboratory, shall inform the Designated Officer and the Commissioner of Food Safety giving reasons and specify the time to be taken for analysis.
4.The Food Analyst shall send four copies of the analysis report to the Designated Officer, in the proforma given in Form VII A, indicating the method of analysis.

Appeal to the Designated Officer
1.When an appeal as provided under subsection 4 of section 46 is preferred to the Designated Officer by the Food Business Operator against the report of the Food Analyst, the Designated Officer, shall if he so decides, within thirty days from the receipt of such appeal after considering the material placed before him and after giving an opportunity to Food Business Operator to be heard shall forward one part of the sample to the referral lab. Such appeal shall be in Form VIII which shall be filed within 30 days from the date of the receipt of the copy of the analysis report from the Designated Officer. Report of the referral laboratory shall be final in this regard.
2.The Designated Officer shall forward one part of the the sample under appropriate condition as specified for the product including transport, to retain the integrity of the sample. The cost of analysis of the sample shall be borne by the Food Business Operator. The remaining samples will also be safely kept under appropriate conditions to prevent deterioration.

Nomination by the company in the prescribed proforma
1.The company which is having different establishments or branches, units, any establishment or branch shall inform the Licensing authority in Form IX, the particulars relating to the concerned head or the person in-charge of such establishment, branch, unit, with due certification that the concerned person has been so nominated for the purposes of the section 66 of the Act and regulations made under section 31 of the Act.
2.The Company shall also intimate to the Licensing Authority, as and when any change occurs in the nomination given in Rule 2.5.1 above forthwith, in Form IX