ISI and FSSAI are the two terminologies used for the authenticity of products sold and manufactured in India. In our everyday life, we consume many packaged items that contain FSSAI marks and whenever we buy some sturdy items like Refrigerators, Iron, etc., they contain ISI marks as ok tested. Even the packaged water we drink also has FSSAI certification on it. 

ISI vs FSSAI

The main difference between ISI and FSSAI is that ISI is the standard authority for setting guidelines on all the products manufactured in India apart from food, On the other hand, FSSAI is an authority for setting guidelines on all the Food items manufactured and traded in India. ISI was formed during the late ’90s and FSSAI was established in the mid-’20s.

The term ISI is used as an abbreviation of Indian Standard Institution which was primarily formed to certify the products manufactured and traded in India. Registration for ISI institutions was taken under the  Society Registration Act, 1860. This body was reformed as BIS in October 2017 under the National Standard Body of India. 

The term FSSAI is referred to the certificated and license issued under the Food Safety and Security Act, 2006. It handles issues related to all the edible items throughout India and frames regulatory guidelines to sell food items. It follows the scientific fundamentals to store, sell, distribute, trade, and import edible items in India. 

Comparison Table Between ISI and FSSAI

What is ISI?

ISI is the abbreviation of Indian Standard Institution which acts as certifying authority for goods manufactured in India. Presently ISI is prominently known as BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards). When we buy some electrical appliances like iron for clothes. It should be ISI certified to ensure that it has qualified the quality testing for electric shock and short circuits. The purpose behind forming the body for Indian Standard is to ensure that citizens of Indian countries do not face any bad consequences of products supplied and imported in India. 

These standards are designed to ensure consumers’ safety and convenience. The parent agency for ISI certification is the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution. It has four regional offices in Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, and Chandigarh along with Headquarters in New Delhi. Apart from four regional offices, the Bureau of Indian Standard has 20 branches all over India. 

Currently, ISI is governed by the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016 which came into existence on October 12, 2017. The primary function performed by the BIS is to promote the rules and regulations of BIS throughout India and make our country better in International Market. These ISI standards are developed keeping in mind ISO certifications. 

What is FSSAI?

FSSAI is an abbreviation for Food Safety and Standard Authority of India which is governed by the Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006. This authority is centered in New Delhi. If you buy a packet of snack items or biscuits there is a license number mentioned behind it, that Food safety license is issued by the FSSAI department of India to ensure that Indian citizens do not consume any harmful substance. 

Food manufacturing companies use many adultered products and harmful chemicals in their making process. To stop the usage of such non-edible and harmful substances, the Indian Government launched the concept of FSSAI license number on every edible item manufactured and imported in India except medicine. Every Food stall or food serving hotel is required to obtain this license for consumer safety. 

Not even manufacturing of Food items, also if someone trades any edible product by putting its own label, in those cases as well the businessman is required to apply for FSSAI license. The Authority issues registration certificates under FSSAI  for firms having annual turnover up to 12 lacs and License if the turnover of a firm is more than 12 lacs. Every branch of the food manufacturing unit is required to obtain a separate license under FSSAI. 

Main Differences Between ISI and FSSAI

1. Marking Structure: ISI issues certificates to quality-tested products in India whereas FSSAI issues certificates to small units and Food item selling licenses to big units. 
2. Logo: ISI marks appear to be in two colors only black and white on the flip side FSSI mark is in multi-colors namely red, orange, yellow, etc. 
3. Service sector: ISI regulations are not applicable to the service sector whereas FSSAI regulations are also applicable to food service sectors like restaurants, cafes, food stalls, etc. 
4. Formation: The ISI mark standards were formed earlier than Food safety standards.
5. Chairperson: The Chairperson of ISI is Mr. Pramod Kumar Tiwari and on the other hand Chairperson of FSSAI is Mr. Rajesh Bhushan. 

Conclusion

Whenever a company manufacture any product or food items, To ensure that such product will not cause any harm to the user the company is required to get its product tested under ISI and FSSAI. Suppose we purchase any gas pipe, in a case, there is a risk of leakage in the pipe, therefore, the company gets ISI certification on its products to get a safety check that pipe will not leak any gas through it and it is safe to use.

Same way if we consume any repacked product from the market then it must be ensured that there is no harm to the human body after the intake of the same. In such cases, the manufacturing and trading unit must be approved through an FSSAI license for the safe consumption of food items.