As the world is faced with challenges like foodborne illnesses, nutraceutical safety, novel foods and micro-plastics, the role of food regulators has never been more crucial and it demands continuous collaboration, relentless innovation and a commitment to constant improvement in the food safety systems, the government said on Friday.
Inaugurating the second edition of the ‘Global Food Regulators Summit 2024', Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda said the work is ongoing to harmonise food safety standards with international benchmarks.
“This includes developing the National Action Plan on AMR 2.0 and aligning maximum residue limits (MRLs) for pesticides with Codex standards, enhancing our position in global trade,” said the minister.
Minister Nadda informed that India is involved in strengthening regulatory capacity in countries like Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
Highlighting the country’s efforts in alternative measures to curb the increasing menace of plastic wastes, the minister said India is taking steps to reduce plastic wastes and adopting organic farming and organic pest control measures.
Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, lauded the efforts of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for organising the one-of-its-kind global summit for the second consecutive year.
“Our collaborative efforts between food regulators, research organisations, and consumer affairs departments will drive innovation, ensuring that policies reflect the dual priorities of consumer protection and environmental sustainability,” said Minister Joshi.
Underscoring the relevance of the summit for sharing best practices and knowledge, Joshi said that food security doesn’t mean just having enough food. “It is also important to ensure the quality and safety of food that we consume”.
He highlighted the ‘Eat Right’ campaign, the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana and the promotion of millets as important initiatives taken by the government to ensure safe and good food.
“Setting the standards of the regulations is the primary duty and responsibility of the government. FSSAI and our department has a crucial role to ensure that safe food reaches the people”, said Joshi.
AI and machine learning are innovative solutions to strengthen the food regulatory system, said experts.
Delegates from over 70 countries, including food safety regulators and those from risk assessment authorities, research institutes and universities are participating in the summit.
Flight operation between Agartala-Delhi to be increased; resumption of flight operation between Agartala-Aizawl, Agartala-Shillong, says MP Biplab Kumar Deb
The former Chief Minister and presently the MP for West Tripura constituency Biplab Kumar Deb on Friday chaired the airport advisory committee meeting here at Agartala MBB Airport and said that there is a plan to increase direct flight operation from Delhi to Agartala.
Tripura: Bill proposes hike in salaries of CM, Ministers and MLAs upto 50pc
An Amendment Bill has been moved in the Tripura Assembly on Friday proposing the increase of salaries, allowances of Ministers, MLAs and former legislators by 45 to 50 per cent.
Winter assembly session begins in Tripura; Governor Indrasena Reddy Nallu lauds Govt’s effort in maintaining law and order in Tripura
In his speech in the sixth session of the 13th Tripura Legislative Assembly, the Governor said, “The state of Tripura is witnessing development in almost every sector including infrastructure, health care, education, agriculture and others under the guidance of the Centre and state leadership.”
TSF stages protest, demands to raise Roman script for Kokborok language in Assembly
The Twipra Student Federation (TSF), a wing of the North East Students Organisation (NESO), on Friday staged a protest near Circuit House in Agartala, demanding the issue of adopting the Roman script for the Kokborok language be raised in the winter session of the Tripura Legislative Assembly, which started today.
Govt to appoint over 400 Assistant Professors in colleges: CM
In a move to provide quality education to students studying in various colleges and to solve the crisis of Professors across the state, the Tripura government has taken a series of steps, including the appointment of 200 Assistant Professors,
Drug peddling: ED raids cop's residence, premises of suspected smugglers in Tripura
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) sleuths on Friday conducted raids in Tripura and searched the residence of a police official and premises of several people allegedly involved in drug peddling and money laundering cases, sources said.
Crucial winter session of Tripura Assembly to begin from tomorrow
The crucial winter session of the Tripura assembly would begin on Friday and a bill would be moved in the House amending the existing law to provide retirement benefits to all MLAs who have served even for just a day, officials said on Thursday.
Ex-CM accuses BJP of divisive politics to mask hide core issues
Former Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar on Saturday criticized the ruling BJP, accusing it of fostering divisions among Hindus, Muslims, Tribals, and Non-Tribals to divert attention from pressing issues such as rising prices, unemployment, and economic hardships.