FSSAI forms panel for scrutinisation of RAFT kits

The FSSAI has constituted a committee for scrutinisation of Rapid Analytical Food Testing (RAFT) kits, equipment and methods applications.

The members include Dr. Lalitha Ramakrishna Gowda, Chief Scientist (Retd.), CFTRI, Mysuru; Dr. Ajit Dua, CEO, Punjab Biotechnology Incubator, Mohali; Dr. Anoop A. Krishnan, Assistant Director (Tech.), Export Inspection Agency, Kochi; Dr. Bhaskar Datta, Associate Professor, Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar; Dr. Deepak Sharma, Principal Scientist, CSIR–Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh; Dr. Kaushik Banerjee, Principal Scientist, National Referral Laboratory, National Research Centre for Grapes, Pune; Dr. Kiran N Bhilegaonkar, Principal Scientist and Station In–charge, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute Regional Station, Pune; and Prof. Dr. T.G. Shrivastav, Head, National Institute of Health and Family Welfare, Munirka, New Delhi.

FSSAI has constituted the committee for scrutinisation of Rapid Analytical Food Testing (RAFT) Kit/ Equipment/ Method Applications under its RAFT Scheme. The recommendations of RAFT committee shall be ratified by the Scientific Panel on Methods of Sampling and Analysis and approved by the Competent Authority before adoption/implementation.

The food authority shall ensure that the recommended rapid kit/equipment/method meets the requirements of the Food Safety and Standard Regulations and are validated against International Standards.

According to FSSAI, the purpose of Rapid Analytical Food Testing (RAFT) Kit/Equipment/Method was to facilitate carrying out on the spot field testing by Food Safety Officers (FSOs) or Mobile Testing Labs or to improve speed and reduce testing costs in food laboratories.

The rapid food testing kit/equipment/method ensure “faster, better, cheaper” real-time testing of food. The rapid food testing kit/equipment/ method are better in terms of their size, faster in terms of their total run time and cheaper in terms of cost effectiveness as compared to conventional methods. The rapid food testing kit/equipment approved by FSSAI is to be used for screening and surveillance purposes only.