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Food
FDA orders cold storage for beef, permits only brief hanging
✍️ The Times of India
🗓 23 Sep 2026, 01:17 PM
👁 15
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has mandated that beef be stored in cold storage throughout the supply chain, allowing only short‑term hanging.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued a directive stating that beef must remain in refrigerated storage from processing to retail, with hanging permitted only for a brief period. The measure aims to curb bacterial proliferation and ensure that the meat reaches consumers in a safe condition.
According to the guidance, all meat processing units, cold chain operators, and retailers are required to maintain temperatures consistent with cold‑storage standards for the entire duration of handling. Any deviation, such as prolonged exposure to ambient temperatures, is deemed a violation.
The authority warned that non‑compliance could attract penalties under the Food Safety and Standards Act, including fines and possible suspension of licences. Industry bodies have acknowledged the directive and said they will review cold‑chain logistics to align with the new requirement.
The FSSAI emphasized that the brief hanging allowance is intended solely for operational convenience, such as inspection or trimming, and must not exceed a few minutes. This clarification seeks to prevent misunderstandings about permissible handling practices.
According to the guidance, all meat processing units, cold chain operators, and retailers are required to maintain temperatures consistent with cold‑storage standards for the entire duration of handling. Any deviation, such as prolonged exposure to ambient temperatures, is deemed a violation.
The authority warned that non‑compliance could attract penalties under the Food Safety and Standards Act, including fines and possible suspension of licences. Industry bodies have acknowledged the directive and said they will review cold‑chain logistics to align with the new requirement.
The FSSAI emphasized that the brief hanging allowance is intended solely for operational convenience, such as inspection or trimming, and must not exceed a few minutes. This clarification seeks to prevent misunderstandings about permissible handling practices.