In exercise of the powers conferred by subsection 1 of Section 43 of the Food Safety and Standards Act,

## Report: Analysis of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Notification Regarding Laboratory Accreditation **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes a notification issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), published on January 13, 2021. The notification serves as an amendment to a previous notification (S.O. 3648(E) dated December 6, 2016) concerning the accreditation of food testing laboratories. The key finding is the inclusion of a new laboratory, "Centre for Food Research and Analysis (CFRA), NIFTEM, Sonipat" located in Haryana, to the list of accredited laboratories under the Northern Region. This report details the amendment's context, specific change, target audience, inferred implementation, and expected impact. **2. Introduction:** The purpose of this report is to provide an informative analysis of the FSSAI notification published on January 13, 2021, based solely on the text provided. This notification amends a previous one concerning the accreditation of food testing laboratories in India. This report aims to outline the change introduced, its context, and its potential implications for the food industry. **3. Policy Overview:** * **Amendment:** This notification is an amendment to the original notification S.O. 3648(E) dated December 6, 2016, which outlined the accredited food testing laboratories. * **Core Objective(s):** The overarching objective, inferred from the text, is to maintain and update the list of accredited food testing laboratories recognized by the FSSAI, ensuring quality control and compliance with food safety standards. **4. Background and Rationale:** The provided text suggests the need for this specific amendment arises from the FSSAI's ongoing efforts to expand and refine its network of accredited food testing laboratories. Specifically, this amendment likely responds to the need for increased testing capacity in the Northern Region, particularly in Haryana. The inclusion of CFRA, NIFTEM, Sonipat, suggests the FSSAI deems it a qualified and suitable facility for food safety testing and analysis. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This notification focuses specifically on adding one laboratory to the list of accredited labs. * **Specific Part of Original Policy Changed:** The amendment modifies the table related to the Northern Region in the original notification S.O. 3648(E). It adds a new entry under the "Haryana" section. * **New Rule/Provision:** The new provision is the inclusion of "Centre for Food Research and Analysis (CFRA), NIFTEM, Sonipat" as an accredited laboratory. The registration number is provided as Reg. No. 63NFSSAI2021. The scope of accreditation for this lab is "Chemical and Biological". The address of the laboratory is provided. * **Difference/Effect:** This addition expands the availability of accredited food testing services in Haryana, offering food businesses more options for compliance testing. It also likely enhances the FSSAI's ability to monitor food safety in the region. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The primary target audience and stakeholders affected by this change include: * **Food Businesses in Haryana:** This change directly impacts food manufacturers, processors, distributors, and retailers operating in Haryana, as they now have an additional accredited laboratory to utilize for mandatory or voluntary food testing. * **FSSAI:** The FSSAI benefits from an expanded network of accredited laboratories, enabling them to better enforce food safety regulations and monitor food quality. * **Consumers:** Ultimately, consumers benefit from increased food safety monitoring and assurance provided by a robust network of accredited testing facilities. * **Centre for Food Research and Analysis (CFRA), NIFTEM, Sonipat:** As a newly accredited lab, CFRA is now a key stakeholder. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is the responsible agency for implementing and overseeing this amendment. * **Timelines/Procedures:** The notification is effective from the date of its publication (January 13, 2021). Specific procedures related to engaging the newly accredited laboratory would likely follow existing FSSAI guidelines for testing and accreditation. The laboratory would need to be audited to ensure compliance. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcome of this amendment is to: * **Increase Testing Capacity:** Increase the availability of accredited food testing facilities in the Northern Region, particularly in Haryana. * **Improve Compliance:** Facilitate easier access for food businesses in Haryana to comply with FSSAI's food safety regulations. * **Enhance Food Safety Monitoring:** Strengthen the FSSAI's ability to monitor food safety and quality in the region. * **Reduce Turnaround Time:** Reduced turn around time for Food Business Operators (FBOs) for testing their samples as more options available. **9. Conclusion:** The FSSAI notification published on January 13, 2021, represents a targeted effort to expand the network of accredited food testing laboratories. The inclusion of CFRA, NIFTEM, Sonipat, as an accredited laboratory in Haryana is a significant step towards enhancing food safety monitoring and facilitating compliance for food businesses in the region. This amendment reinforces the FSSAI's commitment to ensuring safe and high-quality food products for consumers.

Key Entities Referenced