Global Food Regulators Summit 2024: Shaping Safety Standards

Event Overview and Objectives

• The 2nd Global Food Regulators Summit was inaugurated on September 20, 2024, in New Delhi.
• Organized by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) alongside the 3rd World Food India 2024.
• Two-day event (September 20-21, 2024) held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

Primary goals:

• • Facilitate exchange of information on food regulation aspects
  • Discuss global food safety requirements
  • Promote cooperation between food regulators of various countries
  • Address emerging challenges in food safety and regulation

Focus on critical topics such as:

• • Mitigation of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
  • Regulation of health supplements and nutraceuticals
  • Sustainable food packaging
  • Ensuring food safety and nutrition for all
  • Residue and contaminant monitoring systems
  • New age analysis in food testing
  • Impact of animal feed on food safety and human health
  • Sports and nutrition

Key Participants and Speakers

• Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda (JP Nadda) inaugurated the summit
• Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lallan Singh), Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, to address the valedictory session
• Delegates from over 70 countries and 30 international organizations

Participation from:

• • Food regulatory bodies
  • Risk assessment authorities
  • Research institutes
  • Universities

Global organizations:

• • Codex Alimentarius Commission
  • World Health Organization (WHO)
  • World Trade Organization (WTO)
  • Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
  • European Food Safety Authority
  • Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, USA
• Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of WHO, delivered a virtual address

Initiatives and Launches

• Introduction of the State Food Safety Index (SFSI) 2024
  • Assesses food safety performance of Indian States and Union Territories
• Launch of a new website for Food Import Rejection Alerts (FIRA)
  • Online portal to share information on food import rejections at Indian borders
• Unveiling of Food Import Clearance System 2.0 (FICS 2.0)
  • Advanced version for faster processing and transparency
  • Complete online solution with new features, automation, and integration
• Debut of "Flavours of Shree Anna – Sehat aur Swaad Ke Sang"
  • 13-episode show on Doordarshan promoting millet-based recipes
• Conclave of CEOs from major food companies and senior government officials
  • Discuss promoting ease of doing business
  • Enhance access to nutritious foods
  • Improve food safety infrastructure

Significance and Context

• First time a regional food regulators conference is organized outside Rome
• Builds on the success of the inaugural Global Food Regulators Summit in 2023
• Aims to create a global platform for food regulators to exchange perspectives
• Enhances regional collaboration in the standard-setting process within the Codex Alimentarius Commission
• Provides a dedicated platform for Asian countries to discuss food safety, trade, and regulatory challenges
• Emphasizes the need for continuous adaptation in food safety and regulatory landscape
• Addresses emerging hazards, technological advancements, and shifting consumer demands
• Highlights India's commitment to advancing food safety standards
• Promotes knowledge exchange to ensure global food safety and quality
• Bilateral meetings scheduled with Bhutan, Argentina, New Zealand, and Australia