FSSAI Reconstitutes Key Scientific Panels
The revised composition applies specifically to the Scientific Panels on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids and Food Contact Materials (SP-01), Genetically Modified Organisms and Foods (SP-04), Sweets, Confectionery, Sweetener, Sugar and Honey (SP-16), and Nutraceuticals, Functional Foods, Dietetic Products and Other Similar Products (SP-05). The FSSAI has clarified that this order only supersedes the earlier orders with respect to the composition of the four specifically mentioned Scientific Panels. The composition of other Scientific Panels and the Scientific Committee remains unchanged.
FSSAI Upgrades Food Packaging Material to “Critical” in Inspection Checklists
The new checklist requires that packaging material used shall have Certificate of conformity issued by NABL accredited laboratory against the FSS (Packaging) Regulations, 2018. Inspectors will check for records of this conformity certificate during inspections.
FSSAI to Hold Stakeholder Meeting on Proposed Food Safety Standards
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has announced a stakeholder meeting to discuss proposed new food safety standards and amendments to existing regulations. The meeting is scheduled for April 7, 2025, at 11:00 AM at the FSSAI headquarters in New Delhi. For those unable to attend in person, the FSSAI has provided an online platform through Webex. Stakeholders are requested to confirm their attendance, whether physical or online, to help with logistical arrangements.
UP Wage Revamp 2025: “Will Your Pay Check Get a Boost?”
UP has Revised VDA & minimum wages for various scheduled employments with effect from April 1, 2025, applicable to workers employed in 74 scheduled employments
FSSAI Amends Packaging Regulations On Recycled PET in Food Packaging
Products made of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) may be used for packaging, storing, carrying or dispensing of food products as and when standards and guidelines are notified by the Food Authority and such packaging materials shall comply with national standards or regulations as applicable to such materials.
Government Orders Sugar Mills to Maintain Stock Levels
The Indian government has issued an order mandating sugar mills operating through the vacuum pan process to maintain specific white/refined sugar stock levels tentatively until April 30, 2025. The order includes a table detailing the specific release quotas for each sugar mill, identified by plant code and name.
Sugar Mills Get Fourth Round of Export Quota Reallocation
The DFPD has examined requests from sugar mills, along with agreements for the exchange of export and domestic quotas. Based on these requests, additional export quantities have been allocated, and domestic quotas have been adjusted accordingly, as detailed in the attached Annexure.
NIFTEM Kundli Recognized as National Reference Laboratory for Fortified Foods
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has officially recognized the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM) in Kundli, Haryana, as a National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for fortified foods. NIFTEM Kundli, located in Sector 56, Sonipat, Haryana, will now serve as a key national reference point for all matters related to the testing and analysis of fortified foods.
Four Food Testing Labs Suspended by FSSAI for Six Months
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has taken strict action against four food testing laboratories, suspending their operations for a period of six months with immediate effect. This decision comes as per Regulation 10(2) read with clause (iii) of Regulation 10(1) of the Food Safety and Standards (Recognition and Notification of Laboratories) Regulations, 2018.
Government to Establish 100 New Food Testing Labs to Boost Food Safety Nationwide
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MOFPI) will financially support the establishment of 100 new National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL)-accredited food testing laboratories in the upcoming financial year 2025-26. The announcement was made on March 22, 2025 by the Union Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industries.
