The Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had launched a one-stop digital portal for new licensing last July and is now pressing CII to spread awareness about the licensing system. In fact, in sudden the outbreak of the pandemic, FSSAI played an upbeat role with a primary focus on ensuring uninterrupted inter-state supply chain movement and maintain food safety as a business cannot thrive without food safety.
The foremost challenge for the food authority was to burst rumors, provide safe and wholesome food and regain exports. FSSAI has been prompt in adopting different strategies to deal with the pandemic.
FSSAI launched separate websites, customized training programs were introduced, and upgraded labs in all the states of the region were undertaken. The eleven states successfully went through lab upgradation, of which 6 states crossed the hurdles of the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL).
The regulatory authority is now urging the states to take advantage of dedicated funding allotted for them by signing MoUs.
Fortification of food is an important aspect with ideally at least 60% of the fortification basket should be utilized based on grants for mid-day meals. The pandemic has opened up a bevy of opportunities for the processed food, pre-cooked packaged food, ready-to-drink, and ready-to-eat products as there has been a paradigm shift in consumer behavior and patterns. Here is a chance for the industry to take advantage of changing preferences.
The need of the hour is to create more and more infrastructure, modern technology, and integrating agriculture with industry to create a conducive environment for the development of the food processing sector. Dr. Khan raised concern as despite having surplus production of fruits and vegetables; the food processing industry is lagging behind.