Ashish Bahuguna given additional charge of FSSAI CEO

NEW DELHI: Ashish Bahuguna, the Chairman of the food regulator FSSAI, has been given an additional charge of its CEO, following shifting of Yudhvir Singh Malik to the NITI Aayog last month.

On September 23, Malik -- an IAS officer of 1983 batch -- was moved out and shifted as Additional Secretary in Niti Aayog. He was believed to be the man behind the ban of global giant Nestle's popular noodle brand Maggi.

Bhauguna, a retired IAS officer and former Agriculture Secretary, was appointed as Chairman of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in July this year.

According to sources, Bahuguna will continue to hold the charge of CEO till the new appointment is made that may take few months.

Bhauguna, a retired IAS officer of 1978-batch of Rajasthan cadre, retired in February this year.

FSSAI was in thick of action after it banned the instant snack Maggi that has had a level of global resonance that's unprecedented for the Indian food regulator.

However, the ban was later lifted by the Bombay High Court with the condition that manufacturing and selling would be allowed only after fresh tests.

Of late, the regulator is facing crticism of the industry. Recently the 11 organsiations of food and pharma sectors demanded a CBI probe into the functioning of FSSAI and refund of Rs 80 crore collected by the authority for product approval.