31 October 2023 | Trade and Business

The Indian government is in the process of introducing a new Food Safety Bill to amend the existing Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006. The Health Ministry is actively finalizing these amendments, with plans to present the bill in the upcoming Parliament session. The main goal of this legislation is to update food safety regulations in line with the evolving food landscape.

Sudhanshu Pant, Health Secretary and FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) Chairperson, is optimistic about the timely introduction of the new Food Safety Bill. FSSAI has set comprehensive standards for 15 varieties of millets to promote their consumption.Additionally, G Kamala Vardhana Rao, CEO of FSSAI, disclosed a nationwide survey of milk and milk products involving about 10,000 samples, expected to conclude next month.

In preparation for Diwali, FSSAI has urged states to increase surveillance of sweets, milk, and milk products to ensure food safety. They are also encouraging State Food Safety Commissioners to enhance year-round surveillance and plan to increase monitored sample collection to nearly 7 lakh samples by the following year.