SRINAGAR: Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) CEO Rajit Punhani on Tuesday assured Jammu and Kashmir of technical and financial support to strengthen the Union Territory’s food testing infrastructure and improve food safety compliance.
Punhani made the assurance during an interactive meeting with food business operators (FBOs), trade and industry associations and other stakeholders at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar.
The meeting was attended by FSSAI Northern Region Director Devesh Kumar Mahla, J&K Commissioner Food and Drugs Administration Khalid Jahangir, Joint Commissioner Food Safety, Deputy Commissioners Food Safety and other senior officials.
Representatives of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), hotel and restaurant associations, Confederation of All India Traders, All Kashmir Houseboat Owners Association, Kashmir Bakers and Confectioners Association, Federation of Trade and Industry, Spices Industries Kashmir and other trade bodies participated in the interaction.
The participants raised issues related to licensing, food testing, training, regulatory compliance and other concerns facing the food business sector.
Punhani urged food business operators to participate in FSSAI training programmes and adhere to prescribed food safety standards and regulatory requirements.
The trade representatives appreciated the role of the FDA, J&K, in streamlining licensing and registration and sought continued support and guidance from the department, while assuring cooperation in strengthening food safety compliance.
The meeting also focused on provisions concerning foods high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) in and around school premises. Stakeholders were urged to promote healthier food choices and increase consumer awareness about food quality.
Jahangir said the department had initiated the process of upgrading existing food laboratories to expand the range of commodities and parameters that can be tested.
The department has set a target of expanding testing capacity to 3,500 National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) parameters by March 2027 and 5,000 parameters thereafter.
He said around 10,000 food business operators would be trained during the current financial year through 160 training and awareness sessions.
Punhani also welcomed the proposal to use specialised facilities and technical expertise available at institutions such as the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) and Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) to supplement the capacity of FDA laboratories.
The FSSAI CEO called for sustained food safety surveillance and enforcement while facilitating compliance among food business operators. He reiterated the authority’s commitment to providing necessary technical and financial assistance to J&K to strengthen food safety governance.
