In exercise of the powers conferred by sub section 2 of section 43 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 34 of 2006

## Policy Analysis Report: Amendment to Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Notification S.O. 97E **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes an amendment to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) notification S.O. 97E, dated January 10, 2017, as published in the Gazette of India. The amendment, enacted on December 13, 2022, adds the Director, National Food Laboratory, Chennai, as a Referral Food Laboratory within TABLE 1 of the original notification. This change aims to expand the network of recognized referral laboratories, potentially improving food safety testing capacity and accessibility. The report details the specific changes, target audience, inferred implementation aspects, and expected impact of this amendment. **2. Introduction:** The purpose of this report is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the amendment to the FSSAI notification S.O. 97E based solely on the provided policy text. This analysis aims to inform the affected industry about the specific changes introduced by the amendment and their potential implications. **3. Policy Overview:** * **Original Policy:** The amendment refers to the original notification S.O. 97E, dated January 10, 2017, which was published in the Gazette of India. * **Core Objective(s):** Based on the amendment's context and reference to the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, the overarching objective is to ensure food safety and standards in India. The specific objective of this *amendment* is to expand the network of recognized Referral Food Laboratories. **4. Background and Rationale:** The amendment appears to address a need for increased food testing capacity and accessibility by adding a new referral laboratory. The addition of the Director, National Food Laboratory, Chennai, as a Referral Food Laboratory suggests a strategic move to strengthen food safety oversight in the Chennai region and potentially reduce the burden on existing referral laboratories. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This is an amendment to the original policy. The key changes introduced are: * **Specific Part of Original Policy Changed:** TABLE 1 of the original notification S.O. 97E is amended. * **New Rule/Provision:** Under serial numbers 2 and 3 in TABLE 1, in column 2, after iii, the following entries are inserted: * Name of the Referral Food Laboratory: Director, National Food Laboratory, Chennai * Reg. No. 24RFSSAI2022 * 2nd Floor North Wing 3rd Floor, Central Documentation Complex, Chennai Port Trust Building, Rajaji Salai, Chennai 600001 * **Difference/Effect of Change:** The addition of the Director, National Food Laboratory, Chennai, as a recognized Referral Food Laboratory means that this laboratory is now officially designated and authorized to conduct specific food safety tests and analyses as part of the FSSAI's referral laboratory network. This increases the number of designated facilities for such testing. It appears that this was added twice. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The primary target audience includes: * **Food businesses operating in the Chennai region:** These businesses can now utilize the National Food Laboratory, Chennai, as a recognized referral laboratory for testing purposes. * **FSSAI and other regulatory bodies:** This amendment strengthens the FSSAI's capacity to enforce food safety standards. * **Consumers:** Ultimately, this amendment aims to benefit consumers by ensuring safer food products through enhanced testing and monitoring. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is the responsible body for implementing this amendment. * **Timelines or Procedures:** The amendment is effective from the date of its publication in the Gazette of India (December 13, 2022). No specific timelines or procedures are outlined in the provided text, but it can be assumed that the FSSAI will communicate further guidelines regarding the operational aspects of utilizing the newly added referral laboratory. * **Implementation Aspects related specifically to the changes:** Food businesses need to be made aware of the inclusion of this new lab and its areas of expertise. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcomes of this amendment are: * Increased availability and accessibility of referral food testing services, particularly in the Chennai region. * Potentially faster turnaround times for food testing results due to increased capacity. * Strengthened food safety monitoring and enforcement by providing an additional designated laboratory. * Overall, this change should improve confidence in food safety for producers and consumers alike. **9. Conclusion:** The amendment to FSSAI notification S.O. 97E, dated December 13, 2022, is a targeted effort to strengthen the food safety testing infrastructure by adding the Director, National Food Laboratory, Chennai, as a recognized Referral Food Laboratory. This amendment is significant as it expands the network of accredited labs, potentially improving testing access, reducing turnaround times, and ultimately contributing to enhanced food safety standards. Industry stakeholders should note this addition and review its operational implications for their businesses.

Key Entities Referenced