SETTING GLOBAL STANDARDS FOR FOOD SAFETY – SHOWING WAY FORWARD FOR THE WORLD
By Shri Sunil D’Souza
Managing Director & CEO
Tata Consumer Products
In less than a decade, India’s food and agriculture sector has blossomed in a way that can be termed nothing less than a boom. From agricultural and dairy production to the food processing industry, the numbers reveal the growth story.
The total food grain production in the country is estimated at a record 3296.87 lakh tonnes for 2022-23 – higher by 308.69 Lakh tonnes than the previous five years’ (2017-18 to 2021-22) average production of food grains. During 2021-22, India produced 107.24 million tonnes2 of fruits and 204.84 million tonnes of vegetables.
India is ranked first in milk production, contributing 24.64% of global milk production. From 146.31 million tonnes during 2014-15 to 230.58 million tonnes3 in 2022-23, milk production is growing at the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.85%.
The Gross Value Added (GVA) of food processing sector has increased from Rs.1.34 lakh Crore in 2014-15 to Rs 2.08 lakh crore4 in 2021-22, with the sector attracting USD 6.185 billion FDI equity inflow during April 2014-March 2023. The share of processed food exports in agri-exports has increased from 13.7% in 2014-15 to 25.6% in 2022-23. Food processing sector is one of the largest employment provider in the organised manufacturing sector with 12.22% employment in the total registered/organised sector.
In this dynamic food and agricultural ecosystem, one can’t overstate the critical importance of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in putting in place robust regulatory frameworks that not only safeguards consumer health by ensuring the safety and quality across our nation’s food value chain but also foster growth and innovation in the food industry.
FSSAI’s stringent focus on ensuring food safety through regulations and standards and rigorous enforcement mechanisms have instilled confidence among consumers, enhancing trust in our food products.
The Food Authority’s efforts to strengthen the food testing infrastructure by increasing the number of primary testing labs and referral labs (from 12 in 2014 to 22 in 2023) underscore its commitment to ensuring the quality and safety of food products. Special enforcement drives and surveillance campaigns address issues like adulteration, maintaining consumer trust in the food supply chain.
Matching pace with the growth in the country’s food sector, the number of scientific panels in the Food Authority have grown from 9 in 2013 to 21 at present, covering an entire spectrum of standards for food items with categories ranging from cereals, milk and milk products, fruits, vegetables and spices, oils and fats, water, fish and fisheries, meat and meat products, sweets, genetically modified organisms and food, food additives etc. The authority has empanelled more than 200 scientific experts from different scientific organisations such as ICMR, CSIR, ICAR, NIFTEM, IITs and various institutes working in the area of food safety and nutrition.
FSSAI has developed over 700 food standards and these are also reviewed taking into account the latest developments in food science, food consumption pattern, new products and additives, advancement in the processing technology and food analytical methods and also with a view to bridge the gap between national and international standards for food products.
In the last decade, the country’s apex food regulator has brought a paradigm shift in its approach, way of working and regulatory delivery, thereby addressing both performance as well as perceptions amongst key stakeholders. It has made a perceptible shift in its role from an ‘enforcer’ to an ‘enabler’, helping build a positive, collaborative and inclusive environment, conducive to unlock the true potential of the food sector by facilitating ease of doing business.
The development of digital platforms such as Indian Food Laboratory Network (INFoLNET), Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) and Food Import Clearance System (FICS) by FSSAI has also played a significant role in the improvement of the food business ecosystem by streamlining regulations and simplifying the licensing process, along with capacity building and stakeholder engagement.
With the growing needs and demands of the stakeholders, FSSAI has made efforts to enhance user experience by measures such as digital payment gateways for making license/registration fee, submission of documents and further dispatch of QR-embedded License/Registration copy directly to the registered email. Since 2023, food businesses have been allowed to instantly renew their license without requiring any intervention or approval from the authorities. Further, food manufacturers can now also modify their licenses instantly, in case of the addition of non-high-risk food products in their licenses.
The result of these efforts can be measured through the huge leap in terms of active licensed food businesses in the country from 5.7 lakh in FY15 to 10.1 lakh in FY23, apart from increase in number of active registered food businesses (vendors) from 23.8 lakh to 42.7 lakh during the same period.
These initiatives have had a significant impact on the ease of doing business, resulting in an increase in entrepreneurship and contributing to the growth of the Indian economy.
During the International Year of Millets 2023, FSSAI continuously worked on promoting millets and their inclusion in regular diet. Awareness created by this initiative has led to a visible increase in demand for millets-based food products that not only will help in improving the overall health of citizens but is also increasing the income of small farmers and ensuring country’s nutritional security.
Further, FSSAI has developed group standards on 15 types of millets, which specify 8 quality parameters. The Codex Alimentarious Commission (CAC), an international food safety and quality standard-setting body created by WHO and FAO of the United Nations with 188 member countries, praised India’s Standards on Millets and accepted its proposal for the development of global standards for millets during its 46th session held in Rome, Italy, in November 2023. This act as an important foundation for the development of global standards.
FSSAI has also been actively involved in issuing a series of notifications covering a wide range of areas such as Ayurveda Aahar, Jaivik Bharat (organic food products) and Vegan Food, which demonstrate its commitment to adapting to evolving consumer preferences.
FSSAI has also launched the logo +F for Fortified Foods, apart from creating awareness that has resulted in the industry voluntarily taking up fortification of foods like wheat and milk.
By focusing on promoting food safety awareness and education not only through the Eat Right India movement but also through collaborations with industry stakeholders, FSSAI has empowered businesses to adhere to best practices in food production, handling, storage and distribution.
Food safety is a shared responsibility and as stakeholders in India’s food ecosystem, it is also incumbent upon the industry to adopt exemplary practices and continue supporting and collaborating with FSSAI in its mission to ensure a safe, nutritious and sustainable food supply for generations to come.
