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

## Policy Analysis Report: Amendment to Food Safety and Standards Authority of India Notification **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes an amendment to a notification issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regarding Food Analyst Laboratories. The amendment, published on November 28, 2022, adds "Ms. Ruby Mishra, National Food Laboratory, Ghaziabad" to the list of approved Food Analyst Laboratories. This change aims to expand the network of recognized laboratories available for food analysis, potentially improving testing capacity and accessibility within the food industry. **2. Introduction:** This report provides an overview and analysis of an amendment to the FSSAI notification number F.No. 12015052021QA, as published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part III, Section 4, dated December 1, 2022. This analysis is based solely on the provided policy text. **3. Policy Overview:** * **Original Policy:** This amendment modifies the original notification F.No. 12015052021QA, published on July 2, 2021, which established a list of recognized Food Analyst Laboratories. * **Core Objective(s):** As inferred from the text, the original policy and its amendments aim to ensure food safety and standards compliance by providing a recognized network of Food Analyst Laboratories for testing and analysis. **4. Background and Rationale:** * **Amendment Rationale:** The specific amendment adds a new Food Analyst Laboratory to the list of approved facilities. This likely addresses the need to expand testing capacity, improve geographical coverage, or enhance the availability of specialized analytical services within the FSSAI framework. The addition suggests a continuing effort to strengthen the food safety infrastructure. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** * **Specific Part of Original Policy Changed:** The amendment directly modifies the "table" within the original notification where Food Analyst Laboratories are listed. * **New Rule/Provision:** The amendment inserts a new entry into the table after serial number 167: * S. No. 168: Ms. Ruby Mishra, National Food Laboratory, Ghaziabad * **Difference/Effect of Change:** This change officially recognizes "Ms. Ruby Mishra, National Food Laboratory, Ghaziabad" as an approved Food Analyst Laboratory. This means samples can be sent to them, and tests can be carried out according to the regulations. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** Based on the provided text, the target audience and stakeholders directly affected by this amendment include: * **Food Businesses:** Those required to have their products tested for compliance with food safety standards can now utilize the newly added laboratory. * **Food Analysts and Laboratories:** Specifically, Ms. Ruby Mishra and the National Food Laboratory in Ghaziabad are now part of the FSSAI's recognized network. * **FSSAI:** The authority responsible for overseeing and enforcing food safety regulations. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The FSSAI is the primary responsible body for implementing and overseeing this amendment. * **Timelines/Procedures:** The amendment takes effect upon publication in the Gazette of India (December 1, 2022). Specific procedures for engaging with the newly added laboratory would likely follow existing FSSAI guidelines for food testing and analysis. The text provides no explicit timelines. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcome of this amendment is to: * **Increase Testing Capacity:** Adding a new laboratory expands the overall capacity for food testing and analysis within the FSSAI network. * **Improve Accessibility:** Food businesses, particularly those located near Ghaziabad, may benefit from improved accessibility to accredited testing facilities. * **Strengthen Food Safety Compliance:** By facilitating easier access to testing, the amendment potentially contributes to improved food safety compliance across the industry. **9. Conclusion:** The amendment to the FSSAI notification, as published on December 1, 2022, adds "Ms. Ruby Mishra, National Food Laboratory, Ghaziabad" to the list of approved Food Analyst Laboratories. This change is a part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the food safety infrastructure by expanding the network of accredited testing facilities. This enhancement will likely benefit food businesses by increasing testing capacity and improving access to analytical services.

Key Entities Referenced