Summit shows new direction for transforming the global food regulatory landscape

FSSAI organizes Global Food Regulators Summit in New Delhi – Food

The Global Food Regulators Summit (GFRS) 2023 was held in Delhi for the first time, as a G20 event. The summit was organized by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) under the aegis of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on 20th and 21st July, 2023 at Manekshaw Auditorium, New Delhi.

Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the maiden GFRS 2023 in the presence of Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare Narendra Tomar and special guest Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Govt. of Nepal, Dr Bedu Ram Bhusal.

Dr Mandaviya stated that “Safe food and good health are complementary to each other.  Balanced, safe and nutritious food acts as preventive care, and ensures our health and wellness.” Underlining the importance of food safety, he stated that “It is critically important to deep dive into issues of food grains, food safety, and food security for global sustainable development. Food regulators have a highly responsible job to create an eco system under the One Health approach which provides an integrated platform to collectively look at health of climate, human, animal and plant.” He added that under the ongoing G20 India Presidency, One Health forms a key priority for the Health Working Group.

During the event, Food-o-Copoeia, a collection of food category-wise monographs and a single point reference for all applicable standards for a specific product category was released. The Union Health Minister also launched the common regulators platform ‘SaNGRAH’ – Safe food for Nations: Global food Regulatory Authorities Handbook. It is a database of Food Regulatory Authorities of 76 countries across the world, their mandate, food safety ecosystem, food testing facilities, contact details for food authorities, SPS/ TBT/Codex/ WAHO etc.

A Common Digital Dashboard was also launched during the Summit. The Dashboard is a common unified IT-portal that provides comprehensive information on standards, regulations, notifications, advisories, guidelines, contamination limits and the latest developments by Food Regulators in India.

Dr Mandaviya also inaugurated a two-day exhibition during the Global Food Regulator Summit 2023. The summit also witnessed various insightful technical sessions from Indian and international dignitaries from government and industries.

The first-ever GFRS 2023 has paved the way for a more robust food safety and regulatory ecosystem. This groundbreaking initiative has garnered global acclaim for its potential to transform and strengthen the world’s food safety systems. The discussion and outcomes of the sessions have laid a strong foundation for collective action in tackling regulatory challenges and ensuring the well-being of the consumers worldwide.

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