Food regulators’ role crucial; Ministry developing standards for requirements : JP Nadda, ET HealthWorld

New Delhi: In the wake of rising instances of nutritional disorders and growing skepticism of Indian food products in global markets, the Union Health Minister JP Nadda emphasised that “the role of food regulators has never been more crucial.” He further added that the Ministry is “developing standards, keeping in mind international trade, evolving food production processes, and changing consumption patterns.”

Speaking at the World Food India 2024 event, organized by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Nadda said, “The role of food regulators has never been more crucial. It demands continuous collaboration, relentless innovation, and a commitment to constant improvement in food safety systems. FSSAI, along with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, is developing standards, keeping in mind international trade, evolving food production processes, and changing consumption patterns.”

The Union Health Minister also noted that efforts are ongoing to harmonize food safety standards with international benchmarks. “This includes developing the National Action Plan on AMR 2.0 and aligning Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for pesticides with Codex standards, enhancing our position in global trade,” he added.

Inaugurating the second edition of FSSAI’s Global Food Regulators Summit 2024 from the same platform, Nadda also informed that India is taking steps to reduce plastic waste and adopt organic farming and organic pest control measures.

“Food security doesn’t just mean having enough food. It is also important to ensure the quality and safety of the food we consume. Our collaborative efforts between food regulators, research organizations, and consumer affairs departments will drive innovation, ensuring that policies reflect the dual priorities of consumer protection and environmental sustainability,” said Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution.

Present at the event, Apurva Chandra, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and Chairperson, FSSAI, said, “Technology is essential for strengthening food safety standards. FSSAI has been at the forefront, utilizing technology-based solutions for licensing, import clearances, audits, inspections, and other critical aspects of the food ecosystem. AI and machine learning are innovative solutions to strengthen the food regulatory system.”

The summit also unveiled a new website for the Food Import Clearance System 2.0 (FICS 2.0), an advanced version of the Food Import Clearance System. FICS 2.0 offers faster processing and transparency, addressing the limitations of the earlier system by providing a complete online solution with new features, automation, and integration with other relevant portals, the release stated.

Additionally, the annual report: State Food Safety Index (SFSI) 2024, evaluating the food safety performance of Indian states and union territories, was also launched at the event. Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Jammu & Kashmir, Gujarat, and Nagaland attained top spots in the released index, it added.

• Published On Sep 20, 2024 at 02:42 PM IST

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