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FSSAI to Host GFRS 2024 Alongside World Food India at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, from 19th to 21st September
In a landmark event, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Shri J.P. Nadda unveiled the logo and brochures for the highly anticipated Global Food Regulators Summit (GFRS) 2024 during a ceremony at Nirman Bhavan, Delhi. The Summit, organized by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, will run from 19th to 21st September 2024 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, in conjunction with World Food India 2024 hosted by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.
A Global Food Safety Platform
The Global Food Regulators Summit aims to enhance global collaboration in food safety and regulatory practices. Shri Nadda emphasized that while food security has long been a priority, ensuring food safety is essential for the health and well-being of populations worldwide. He stressed that the Summit will provide a unique platform for global food regulators to exchange knowledge, strategies, and best practices in strengthening food safety systems across the entire food value chain.
“This is the second Global Food Regulators Summit, featuring participation from over 70 countries and 30 international organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), World Trade Organization (WTO), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the Codex Alimentarius Commission,” stated Shri Nadda. “With nearly 5,000 delegates attending in person and 1.5 lakh participants joining virtually, the Summit will discuss strategies for collaboration and address the critical challenges facing global food regulators.”
The Summit will be attended by delegates from various sectors, including Risk Assessment Authorities, Research Institutes, and Universities. The event will feature technical and plenary sessions, keynote addresses, and multilateral meetings aimed at tackling current and emerging food safety challenges.
Focus Areas: AMR, Nutraceuticals, and Sustainable Packaging
The Union Health Minister highlighted the central themes of the Summit, including mitigating antimicrobial resistance (AMR), regulating health supplements and nutraceuticals, promoting sustainable food packaging, ensuring food safety for all, and implementing new-age food testing methodologies. These critical areas are expected to drive discussions on improving global food safety standards and addressing contemporary challenges.
“The impact of animal feed on food safety, residue monitoring, and the role of nutrition in sports will also be key topics,” Shri Nadda remarked, underscoring the Summit’s comprehensive agenda that covers every facet of food safety.
Enhancing India’s Role in Global Food Safety
For the first time, a regional food regulators’ conference is being organized outside of Rome, with India taking a leading role in promoting food safety collaboration across Asia. “This summit is a proud moment for Bharat, as we work to enhance regional collaboration in standard-setting under the Codex Alimentarius Commission,” Shri Nadda noted, adding that this will provide a dedicated platform for Asian countries to discuss food safety, trade, and regulatory issues unique to the region.
Key Initiatives and Innovations to Be Unveiled
Several innovative initiatives will be introduced during GFRS 2024, including the launch of the Food Import Rejection Alerts (FIRA) portal, which will serve as an online notification system for food import rejections. Additionally, the Food Import Clearance System 2.0 (FICS 2.0) will be launched to improve transparency and efficiency in food import processing.
The much-anticipated release of the State Food Safety Index (SFSI) 2024, which assesses the food safety performance of Indian states and union territories, will also be a key highlight of the event. The Summit will provide a platform for bilateral meetings with countries like Bhutan, Argentina, New Zealand, and Australia to further strengthen international cooperation.
Millet-Based Nutrition Show to Debut
Coinciding with the event, “Flavours of Shree Anna – Sehat aur Swaad Ke Sang,” a 13-episode series promoting millet-based recipes, will debut on Doordarshan. This initiative is part of the broader efforts to raise awareness of nutrition and the benefits of traditional Indian food grains.
Towards a Safer Global Food Future
Shri Nadda expressed confidence that the Summit will foster global partnerships and drive forward initiatives to ensure food safety for all. “This event will help build a cohesive network for ensuring compliance, sharing best practices, and creating synergies across countries,” he said. The Global Food Regulators Summit 2024 is expected to mark a new chapter in global efforts to strengthen food safety systems and ensure safe, nutritious food for the world’s population.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, FSSAI, and other key stakeholders were present at the event, reflecting India’s commitment to playing a leadership role in global food safety governance.
