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India Leads the Way to Bolster Global Food Safety Ecosystem
Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, September 21, 2024: The two-day Global Food Regulators Summit 2024, hosted by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, concluded today with a call for stronger collaboration to enhance food safety systems worldwide. The summit, held at Bharat Mandapam, saw participation from over 70 countries, with food regulators, risk assessment authorities, research institutes, and universities coming together to address key issues in food safety and regulation.
Union Minister of Food Processing Industries, Shri Chirag Paswan, delivered the valedictory address, underscoring India’s leading role in promoting global food safety. “It is our responsibility to ensure food safety along with food security. We should aim not only to maintain the quality of our food but also explore ways to enhance its value,” Shri Paswan said. He emphasized the diversity of India’s food systems and called for leveraging this abundance into meaningful economic opportunities.
Shri Paswan praised the FSSAI for organizing the summit, which he said provided a crucial platform for knowledge-sharing and international cooperation. “The diversity of our food systems is truly remarkable—this is the essence of India. We need to brainstorm ways to transform this rich abundance into meaningful opportunities,” he added.
Focus on Regional Cooperation
In a special address, Dr. V K Paul, Member of NITI Aayog, lauded FSSAI’s Eat Right India movement, encouraging greater public participation in this national effort to promote healthy eating habits. “I urge all of you to join the Eat Right India Jan Andolan and engage in behavioural change,” Dr. Paul remarked.
Parallel to the summit, a Regional Conclave was held to enhance collaboration between Asian countries in shaping global food safety standards. Hon’ble Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Smt Anupriya Patel, emphasized the importance of regional unity in her presidential address, highlighting the role of FSSAI in aligning India’s food safety standards with international Codex norms.
“This conclave is a significant step in promoting cooperation within the Codex Alimentarius Commission’s standard-setting process. It marks the first time such a gathering has been held outside the Codex headquarters in Rome, offering a platform for regional discussions on food safety, trade, and regulatory challenges,” Smt Patel said.
New Initiatives Launched
The summit also saw the launch of several new initiatives aimed at streamlining food safety and import processes. These included the Food Import Rejection Alerts (FIRA), an online portal for notifying food import rejections at Indian borders, and FICS 2.0, an advanced Food Import Clearance System. A milestone report, the State Food Safety Index (SFSI) 2024, was also released, evaluating the food safety performance of Indian states and union territories.
In an effort to promote nutritious diets, the summit introduced the “Flavours of Shree Anna” millet recipe showcase, highlighting the health benefits of millets, in line with India’s broader agricultural initiatives.
Global Collaboration on Food Safety
Throughout the summit, delegates engaged in discussions on critical topics, including residue and contaminant monitoring, advanced food-testing technologies, and addressing hidden hunger through food fortification. The impact of animal feed on food safety and human health was also examined, reflecting a growing recognition of the interconnectedness of food production systems.
Speaking on behalf of FSSAI, CEO Shri G. Kamala Vardhana Rao expressed gratitude for the active participation of both national and international delegates, emphasizing the importance of global collaboration. “The summit has provided an invaluable platform for exchanging insights and expertise on food safety. We look forward to continuing these efforts to build a stronger global food safety ecosystem,” Shri Rao said.
The summit, inaugurated by Union Health Minister Shri JP Nadda on September 20, 2024, underscored India’s commitment to leading global food safety initiatives and addressing regulatory challenges across the food value chain. As food safety regulators worldwide strategize on risk assessment, capacity building, and analytical competence, the 2024 Global Food Regulators Summit has laid the groundwork for stronger, safer, and more resilient food systems across the globe.
