The two-day G20 Global Food Regulators Summit (GFRS), which was first organized in India by the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), will take place in New Delhi on July 20, 2023. The two-day Summit’s goal was to give regulators a venue to collaborate on improving food safety systems and regulatory frameworks all throughout the food value chain. Leading experts, regulators, and business people from all over the world attended the summit.
The Summit envisioned creating a holistic approach to the food safety policy framework, taking into account the shifting panorama of growing food dangers, new technology, and changing consumer needs. The show also included state-of-the-art products, services, and technologies that promote food safety and regulation. The summit was opened by Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of the MoHFW, in the presence of Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel and Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, Union Ministers of State for Health and Family Welfare, as well as Narendra Tomar, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Dr. Bedu Ram Bhusal, Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Government of Nepal.
“Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: One Earth, One Nation” is the theme of this year’s Indian G20 Presidency, and this conference perfectly matches it. We need to investigate how regional differences might be taken into account when developing global best practices, Dr. Mandaviya continued, pointing out that because agro-climatic differences between different geographic regions make it impossible to apply a single standard to food safety measures
Announcement of New Digital Platforms
Several ground-breaking projects that will revolutionize the accessibility and sharing of information about food safety were introduced at the summit. The introduction of Food-oCopoeia, a comprehensive collection of food category-specific monographs, is one of these projects. It serves as a single-point reference for all applicable standards for certain product categories. ‘SaNGRAH’ (Safe Food for Nations: Global Food Regulatory Authorities Handbook), a noteworthy initiative by the single regulator, was also launched. It is an extensive database of food regulatory authorities from 76 different countries that includes information about their mandates, food safety ecosystems, food testing facilities, contact information for food authorities, and SPS/TBT/Codex/WAHO information.
English, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam are among the languages in which SaNGRAH can be utilized.
During the summit, a common digital dashboard a single IT portal offering thorough information on standards, laws, advisories, rules, contamination limits, and the most recent advancements by the Indian food regulator was also unveiled.
Additionally, a two-day exhibition took place at the GFRS 2023 summit. This exhibition served as a forum for the discussion and exchange of knowledge regarding food standards, product re-engineering, and technological advancements in the food industry. Over the course of the two days, 35 exhibitors—including Food Business Operators (FBOs), Rapid Analytical Food Testing (RAFT) producers, and prestigious organizations like the Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), Export Inspection Council (EIC), Spice Board, Tea Board, and Coffee Board—displayed their knowledge and contributions to the industry.
“Safe and nutritious food is key to good health, while unsafe food causes 600 million infections and 4.2 lakh deaths every year,” said G Kamala Vardhana Rao, CEO of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, during the conference. I’m hoping that the group will discuss important food safety issues and come up with creative ways to guarantee a secure food supply.
Food safety technical lectures that were enlightening
Numerous technical sessions were held at the conclave and were led by eminent officials from the government, business, and academia. The first technical session on “Global Regulatory Framework” with panelists from eight different nations, including Brazil, Bhutan, Chile, Ethiopia, Mauritius, Mozambique, the US, and New Zealand, followed the opening session. The discussions centered on how crucial it is for international food regulators to work together and efficiently to maximize their efficacy. Notably, the importance of harmonizing regulatory standards was emphasized as a crucial step to guarantee consumer safety and ease global trade. Different nations highlighted their best practices and triumphs, which may be adopted by other nations to strengthen their food regulation framework.
The panel proposed collaboration strategies among agencies and stakeholders for a national food control system with a safety focus. They emphasized stakeholder involvement in developing and amending food regulations. Day two included a session on robust standards, covering operational regulation, food safety, and quality control. Another session discussed health supplements and nutraceuticals, stressing strong regulations, research, and product quality. Codex’s Nutrient Reference Values for health supplements were considered. Discussions also touched on non-sugar sweeteners, probiotics, and Ayurveda in food. A session on contaminants emphasized harmonizing safety standards, setting limits, and using National Reference Laboratories for data. Organic foods, animal feed safety, innovation in food emergency response, and technology adoption were also covered. These discussions form the foundation for addressing regulatory challenges and ensuring consumer well-being worldwide.
Creating a Global Food System that is more Secure and Sustainable
By convening regulators and experts from diverse nations, GFRS 2023 has established a robust basis for coordinated efforts to enhance food safety and address challenges such as AMR, antibiotic residues, animal feed regulation, and food product analysis. GFRS 2023 has reaffirmed its dedication to fostering international collaboration, knowledge exchange, and mutual learning, all aimed at advancing a safer and more sustainable global food system.
During the closing ceremony of GFRS 2023, Suman Berry, Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog, noted, “This summit has served as a crucial platform for international cooperation in confronting food safety issues. It is imperative to bolster scientific food safety standards and enforce regulations to prevent food adulteration and counterfeiting. India’s complex food landscape presents significant challenges that require collective efforts involving the government, industries, and other stakeholders.”
The summit signifies a significant stride in promoting global cooperation, sharing knowledge, and fostering cross-learning to create a safer and more sustainable global food system. The shared commitment and expertise showcased during the summit will undoubtedly facilitate positive change and safeguard the well-being of consumers worldwide.
The Global Food Regulators Summit 2023 concluded with a commitment to enhance food safety systems worldwide.