In exercise of the powers conferred by subsection 2 of section 43 of the Food Safety and Standards Act

## Policy Analysis Report: Amendment to Food Safety and Standards Authority of India 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, published in the Gazette of India on January 10, 2017. This amendment, dated February 15, 2022, focuses on expanding the list of Referral Food Laboratories by adding the Director, National Food Laboratory (NFL), JNPT, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra. The core purpose is to enhance the food testing and referral network under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The key finding is the expansion of accredited food testing facilities, likely aimed at improving the efficiency and geographical coverage of food safety monitoring in India. **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 text. This analysis aims to inform stakeholders about the specific changes introduced by this amendment and their potential implications. **3. Policy Overview:** * **Original Policy:** This amendment modifies the original FSSAI notification number S.O. 97E, published on January 10, 2017, which pertains to Referral Food Laboratories. * **Core Objective(s):** The core objective, inferred from the text, is to strengthen the food safety and standards regulatory framework by expanding the network of designated Referral Food Laboratories. This aligns with the broader goals of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, to ensure safe and wholesome food for consumers. **4. Background and Rationale:** This amendment appears to address the need for increased capacity or geographical coverage within the FSSAI's referral laboratory system. Adding the NFL-JNPT laboratory suggests a strategic effort to improve access to specialized food testing and analysis services in the Navi Mumbai region, potentially due to increasing food processing or trade activities in that area. The amendment likely aims to reduce turnaround times for referral testing and ensure more robust enforcement of food safety standards. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This amendment focuses specifically on modifying *Table 1* of the original S.O. 97E notification. * **Specific Part Changed:** Entries under serial numbers 2 and 3, in column 2, of *Table 1* of S.O. 97E are being amended. * **New Rule/Provision:** In both instances (serial numbers 2 and 3), the following entry is inserted after "ii": "Director, National Food Laboratory, JNPT, Sector 3, JNPT Township Sheva, Taluka Uran, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra 400707." * **Difference/Effect of Change:** This amendment adds the Director, National Food Laboratory, JNPT, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, as a designated Referral Food Laboratory under the FSSAI. This means that food safety officers and other relevant authorities can now refer food samples to this laboratory for specialized testing and analysis. It expands the pool of accredited labs, likely improving accessibility and capacity. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The direct target audience and stakeholders affected by this amendment include: * **Food Safety Officers:** They now have an additional accredited laboratory to which they can send samples for referral testing. * **Food Business Operators (FBOs):** Businesses in the food industry, especially those in the Navi Mumbai region, may be directly affected as their products might be subject to testing at the newly added referral laboratory. * **The National Food Laboratory, JNPT:** The laboratory itself, and its Director, are directly impacted as they are now formally designated as a Referral Food Laboratory within the FSSAI framework. * **Consumers:** Indirectly, consumers benefit from enhanced food safety monitoring and enforcement capabilities. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The FSSAI is the primary responsible body for implementing this amendment. The National Food Laboratory, JNPT, will also play a key role in adhering to FSSAI guidelines and maintaining accreditation standards. * **Timelines/Procedures:** The amendment is effective from the date of notification (February 15, 2022). The specific procedures for sample referral and testing would likely be governed by existing FSSAI guidelines and protocols, with the NFL-JNPT laboratory now integrated into that system. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcomes of this amendment include: * **Increased Testing Capacity:** The addition of NFL-JNPT to the list of referral labs expands the overall testing capacity within the FSSAI network. * **Improved Geographical Coverage:** The inclusion of a laboratory in Navi Mumbai enhances the geographical accessibility of referral testing services, particularly for businesses in that region. * **Enhanced Food Safety Monitoring:** The amendment contributes to more robust food safety monitoring and enforcement by providing additional resources and infrastructure for testing and analysis. * **Reduced Turnaround Times:** The strategic placement of a new referral lab could result in faster turnaround times for sample testing, leading to quicker decision-making in food safety enforcement. **9. Conclusion:** This amendment to the FSSAI notification S.O. 97E, dated February 15, 2022, is a significant step towards strengthening the food safety infrastructure in India. By adding the Director, National Food Laboratory, JNPT, Navi Mumbai, to the list of Referral Food Laboratories, the FSSAI aims to enhance testing capacity, improve geographical coverage, and ultimately ensure safer food for consumers. This amendment reflects a continued effort to refine and expand the food safety regulatory framework under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Key Entities Referenced