The Protein Food & Nutrition Development Association of India (PFNDAI) organised a seminar on food safety systems and regulations at Courtyard by Marriott, Andheri, Mumbai on October 12, 2013. It focussed on such topics as food safety management systems – best practices and latest developments; regulations regarding trans-fats and implications, and product approval – problems and solutions.
The speakers included J I Lewis, regulatory affairs committee, PFNDAI; Niraj Raje, senior food assessor, Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance (LRQA); K D Yadav, senior vice president, technical, Kamani Oils, and Prabodh Halde, head – regulatory, Marico.
As the food safety and regulations was the main focus of the seminar, while remarking the seminar, Dr J I Lewis, said, “Neither the industry nor the government adhere to the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006. We need to start paying more attention to and following the regulations. As far as harmonisation with Codex is concerned, the Act itself is not harmonised.”
“Policy, procedure and practice are the key points which we need to follow as far as harmonisation is concerned. There are no proper policies from the government or the industry. They are expected to be framed by the captains of the food industry,” said Lewis.
Raje said, “There are food-related incidents in India and globally. A recent survey indicated that 1.8 million people die each year due to the consumption of contaminated food and water.”
“It is estimated that there are two billion cases of food-borne illnesses each year. Food safety quality and sustainability should be the priorities in the global food agenda,” he added.
“India faces challenges like geographical diversities, differences in weather conditions, packaging technologies and poor hygienic conditions. We need to understand these and convert them into opportunities,” Raje added.
“Nutritionally, trans-fats – which are widely used in snacks and bakery products – are not good for health and lead to cardio-vascular diseases like diabetes,” Yadav said.
“If we see the global scenario of trans-fats, the European Union (EU) stipulated that nutritional claims be declared on nutritional labels. However, Denmark was the only country that put a limit to trans-fats,” he added.
Halde said, “India conducts trade in more than 10,000 food products. The differences between food and drugs are narrowing, hence we must make sure the food we eat is safe.”
“As far as the product approval system is concerned, we must concentrate on clarity, time frame, cost, clear guidelines, small changes in formulations that need re-approval, product approvals linked to licencing and imported foods,” he added.
Technological function, specifications, methods of manufacturing, safety information, regulatory status and method analysis were Halde's tips for new product approval.
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