AIFPA

A new study published April 2 in Nature, digs into how the brain ties flavors to sickness, revealing a process that mirrors human reactions to foodborne illness. Read More

New U.S. tariffs, particularly on Chinese imports like soy sauce, are driving up costs at specialty stores, raising fears that smaller importers could face pressures challenging their ability to maintain safety standards. Read More

The FSSAI has issued directions to the State Food Safety Commissioners to carry out enforcement measures against paneer adulteration and ensure strict compliance with the guidelines related to analog paneer. Read More

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has expanded the disciplines recognised for the post of food safety officers. In a notification, the food authority has included Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery or Bachelor of Dental Surgery or Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery or Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery or Bachelor of Siddha Medicine and Surgery or Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery or Bachelor of Sowa Rigpa Medicine and Surgery, for the post of food safety officer. According to experts, including medical professionals as Food Safety Officers will make food safety checks stronger. They understand how bad food affects health and can find risks faster. This means better inspections, quicker action on food poisoning cases and stricter rules for unhealthy or fake food products. India faces food safety challenges like food poisoning, fake food products and not enough inspectors. More experts will help improve food quality, protect people’s health and make sure food businesses follow the rules, said Mr. Ashwin Bhadri, CEO, Equinox Labs. It is pertinent to mention that most current FSOs come from science backgrounds but are often overworked due to staff shortages and large areas to cover and this affects inspections and delays action. Including doctors and traditional medicine experts will increase manpower, reduce workload and improve how food risks are identified and managed—making our food system safer, added Bhadri.

To revitalize Assam’s struggling tea industry, the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has agreed to extend the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) scheme to tea estates in the state. The decision follows persistent efforts by the North Eastern Tea Association (NETA), which had urged the government to address land classification barriers preventing tea gardens from availing the scheme. Read More

U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest move to impose steep reciprocal tariffs on Indian imports under what he has termed “Liberation Day” is expected to significantly impact India’s food and agriculture exports, particularly processed seafood, sugar, dairy, and spices, experts warn. Read More

The Supreme Court has set a three-month deadline for the Centre to implement food safety norms that make it mandatory to display key information about packaged food items on containers. Hearing a Public Interest Litigation, the bench of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan said the Centre must decide amendments to the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020 within three months. Read More

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, has officially designated the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM-K), Kundli as a National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for Fortified Foods. Read More

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has announced the reclassification of points related to ‘food grade packaging material’ from ‘Non-Critical’ to ‘Critical’ in the inspection checklists for various food sectors. This significant update underscores the vital role that packaging plays in maintaining food safety and compliance with the FSS (Packaging) Regulations, 2018. Read More

Nestle India has officially laid the foundation stone for its upcoming manufacturing facility in Khordha, Odisha, marking a significant milestone as the company’s tenth factory in India and its first in the Eastern region. The ceremony was attended by Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. The new plant is being established with an initial investment of approximately Rs 900 crore in its first phase and will focus on producing items from the company’s food portfolio, specifically prepared dishes and cooking aids. This expansion is part of the company’s commitment to growing its presence across India and supporting Government ‘Make in India’ initiative.