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.