Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda, unveiled the logo and brochures for the Global Food Regulators Summit (GFRS) 2024 at a ceremony in Nirman Bhavan, New Delhi, today. The summit, organized by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, will take place from September 19th to 21st, 2024, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The event will run alongside the World Food India 2024, hosted by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.

During the unveiling, Nadda emphasized the importance of food safety in global discussions, stating, "While food security has been a primary focus internationally, it’s crucial that food safety also takes center stage to ensure the health and well-being of populations around the world." The summit aims to create a global platform for food regulators to exchange ideas on strengthening food safety systems and enhancing regulatory frameworks across the food value chain.

Global Participation and Key Discussions

This year’s GFRS marks the second edition of the summit and will bring together over 30 international organizations and delegates from more than 70 countries, including food safety regulators, risk assessment authorities, research institutes, and universities. Around 5,000 delegates are expected to attend, with 1.5 lakh people joining virtually. Nadda highlighted that key regulatory issues, collaboration strategies, and food safety challenges would be discussed at the event.

Prominent organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), World Trade Organization (WTO), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Codex Alimentarius Commission, and The European Food Safety Authority will participate. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of WHO, will address the summit virtually. Additionally, national stakeholders, including the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, the Department of Commerce, and the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), will actively contribute, underscoring India's commitment to advancing food safety standards.

Strengthening Regional Collaboration

A significant aspect of the summit will be the regional food regulators’ conference, hosted for the first time outside of Rome. Nadda called it a "proud moment for Bharat," noting that the conference will focus on enhancing collaboration among Asian nations to address food safety, trade, and regulatory challenges specific to the region.

Focus on Critical Food Safety Topics

GFRS 2.0 will address crucial topics such as mitigating antimicrobial resistance (AMR), regulating health supplements and nutraceuticals, promoting sustainable food packaging, ensuring food safety and nutrition for all, and monitoring residue and contaminants in food. Discussions will also cover cutting-edge food testing methods, the impact of animal feed on food safety and human health, and the intersection of sports and nutrition.

Nadda stressed that the summit will foster a cohesive network for improving food safety practices, sharing best practices, and creating synergies between countries to enhance compliance.

Key Initiatives and Innovations

One of the summit’s most anticipated highlights is the introduction of several new initiatives aimed at revolutionizing food safety practices. Among these is the Food Import Rejection Alerts (FIRA), an online portal designed to share real-time information on food import rejections at Indian borders, enhancing transparency and communication between regulatory authorities and the public.

Additionally, the advanced Food Import Clearance System (FICS 2.0) will be launched, offering faster processing, automation, and integration with other portals to improve efficiency and transparency in food import clearances.

State Food Safety Index and Special Millets Program

The State Food Safety Index (SFSI) 2024, an annual report assessing the food safety performance of Indian states and union territories, will also be introduced at the summit. Furthermore, the event will feature the debut of a 13-episode Doordarshan series titled "Flavours of Shree Anna – Sehat aur Swaad Ke Sang," promoting millet-based recipes to boost nutrition awareness.

The Global Food Regulators Summit 2024 promises to be a landmark event, with its wide range of discussions, innovations, and collaborations focused on enhancing food safety standards globally. As Nadda emphasized, the summit will play a crucial role in fostering international cooperation and advancing food safety measures in an increasingly interconnected world.