In exercise of the powers conferred under sub section 5 of section 10 read with section 45 of the Food Safety and Standards Act

## Report on Amendment to Food Safety and Standards Authority of India Notification **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes an amendment to a notification by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regarding the recognition of Food Analyst Laboratories. This amendment, published on June 14, 2022, adds 17 new laboratories and removes 10 laboratories from the previously recognized list. The core purpose of this amendment is to update and maintain the list of approved laboratories authorized to conduct food analysis under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Key findings indicate a dynamic process of accreditation and a commitment to ensuring a diverse and reliable network of testing facilities. **2. Introduction:** This report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of an amendment to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) notification, as published in the Gazette of India on June 14, 2022. The analysis is based solely on the provided policy text. **3. Policy Overview:** * **Amendment:** This report focuses on an amendment to the principal notification published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary Part III, Section 4, vide notification number File. No. 12015052021QA dated 02nd July 2021, and subsequently amended on November 30, 2021, and February 15, 2022. * **Core Objective(s):** Based on the provided text, the primary objective of this amendment is to update the list of recognized Food Analyst Laboratories. The act of amending the list implies that maintaining a current, comprehensive, and qualified list is crucial for the enforcement of food safety standards. **4. Background and Rationale:** This amendment likely addresses the need to ensure a sufficient number and geographical distribution of accredited Food Analyst Laboratories. The addition of new laboratories suggests an increase in testing demand or a strategic effort to expand testing capacity. The omission of laboratories implies that these facilities may no longer meet the required standards, have ceased operations, or some other reason. These changes ensure the availability of qualified labs for the industry. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This amendment introduces specific changes to the list of approved Food Analyst Laboratories. * **Specific Change:** The amendment modifies the table within the original notification listing recognized Food Analyst Laboratories. * **New Rule/Provision:** The amendment adds the following 17 entries to the table, inserting them after serial number 148: * S. No. 149: Mr. Suresh R, Ms. Bureau Veritas India Private Limited, Chennai * S. No. 150: Mr. Bijendra Pal, Ms. Devansh Testing and Research Laboratory Private Limited, Haridwar * S. No. 151: Ms. Megha Puri, Ms. Intertek India Private Limited, Food Services, Gurugram * S. No. 152: Mr. Sachin Dilip Katurde, Ms. Envirocare Labs Private Limited, Thane * S. No. 153: Ms. Sujata Jitendra Chivate, Ms. Envirocare Labs Private Limited, Thane * S. No. 154: Mr. Sandeep Gaikwad, Ms. TUV India Private Limited, Pune * S. No. 155: Mr. Elaiyaperumaal. M, Ms. SGS India Private Limited, Multi Laboratory, Chennai * S. No. 156: Ms. Kalpana Doke, Ms. National Commodities Management Services LimitedNCML Labs, Navi Mumbai * S. No. 157: Mr. K. Karthikeyan, Ms. Scientific Food Testing Services P Ltd., Chennai * S. No. 158: Ms. Anusha Ramani, Ms. Vimta Labs Limited, Ahmedabad * S. No. 159: Mr. Abhishek Mishra, Ms. Haryana Test House Consultancy Services, Panipat, * S. No. 160: Dr. Jeetendra Vikram Patil, Ms. Micro Chem Silliker Private Limited, Navi Mumbai * S. No. 161: Mr. Tanhaji Balu Walunj, Ms. Micro Chem Silliker Private Limited, Navi Mumbai * S. No. 162: Ms. Anjali E Kurian, Ms. Vimta Labs Limited, Hyderabad * S. No. 163: Ms. Bhanupriya J, Ms. Vimta Labs Limited, Bangalore * S. No. 164: Mr. Yogeswar Rao Lakshmi Narasimha Rao Paruchuri, Ms. Yontus Life Sciences Pvt Ltd, Guntur * S. No. 165: Ms. Gunavathy MK, Ms. Vsix Analytical Labs Private Limited, Bangaluru * The amendment also omits the entries at serial numbers 22, 35, 45, 49, 57, 68, 93, 105, 107, and 140. * **Effect of Change:** The additions expand the pool of recognized laboratories, while the omissions remove facilities no longer deemed suitable. This affects which laboratories are authorized to perform food analysis for regulatory compliance. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The primary target audience and stakeholders are: * Food businesses and manufacturers, who are required to have their products tested by recognized laboratories for compliance. * The listed Food Analyst Laboratories themselves, as their recognition is directly affected. * Food Safety Officers and regulatory bodies, who rely on these laboratories for testing and enforcement. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency:** The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is the responsible agency, as indicated by the notification's origin and the reference to the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. * **Procedures:** The amendment implies a process for laboratories to apply for and receive recognition from the FSSAI. The omission of laboratories suggests a periodic review process. * **Implementation of Changes:** Food businesses should immediately update their records to reflect the current list of approved laboratories. Regulatory bodies will need to enforce compliance based on the updated list. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcome of these changes is to: * Ensure the availability of sufficient and geographically diverse testing facilities for food analysis. * Maintain the quality and reliability of food testing by removing laboratories that no longer meet standards. * Enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of food safety monitoring and enforcement. **9. Conclusion:** This amendment to the FSSAI notification represents a crucial update to the list of recognized Food Analyst Laboratories. By adding new facilities and removing others, the FSSAI aims to ensure a robust and reliable network of testing facilities, ultimately contributing to improved food safety and regulatory compliance. Food businesses need to be aware of these changes to ensure continued compliance with food safety regulations.

Key Entities Referenced