AIFPA hosts ‘All India Food Safety Summit — 2011’

An important part of the Summit was the session on the standards for food additives, packaging and labeling.

Highlighting the achievements and hurdles in the functioning of the food processing industry in India, the All India Food Processors’ Association (AIFPA) today organized the ‘All India Food Safety Summit — 2011’ at Hotel Le Meridien. The Summit was followed by an awards function, where awards and scholarships were given to food processors, entrepreneurs and others for exemplary contributions to the development of the food processing industry. The Government is been fully committed to food safety, which is of paramount concern for the consumer’s well-being. Innovative Food Safety Management Systems such as Good Management Practices (GMP), Good Hygienic Practices (GHP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) are inbuilt in the new Regulations. At the 67th Annual Conference of AIFPA, sessions were conducted covering the issues and challenges relating to licensing, registration and enforcement. Various aspects about the smooth transition of the industry from the earlier Act/Rules/Orders to the new norms were discussed. The uniformity in implementation of the Rules and Regulations in various states was discussed as an area of concern. An important part of the Summit was the session on the standards for food additives, packaging and labeling. It highlighted the way to make the Regulations more effective by harmonizing the essential elements of earlier Food Acts, certain provisions of Legal Metrology and certain standards of BIS. During the award session, the importance of the sector for inclusive growth of the country, especially in rural areas. The CEO of Food Authority, Shri V N Gore, delivered an important Key Note Address. Dr V Prakash, distinguished scientist of CSIR India & President, Nutrition Society of India, delivered a special address. Stated Mr. Piruz Khambatta, President, AIFPA and Chairman, Rasna, “After serving the cause of the industry for more than 60 years, AIFPA has been taking fresh initiatives to accelerate the industry’s growth. The Summit has been organized to addressing the missing links in the implementation of ‘The Food Safety & Standards Rules & Regulations — 2011’, which became operational recently this year.” Mr. Khambatta also mentioned, “Development of Food Processing Industry is of prime importance for food security, controlling food inflation, and for prosperity in rural areas.” He has stressed that Central and State government bodies should work closely with industry to ensure this happens as the industry could do for rural India what IT has done for urban India. He also emphasized that India could rightly become the food factory of the world. What the sector needs for this, however, is accelerated reforms.