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) concerning the designation of Food Analyst Laboratories. The amendment, published on February 15, 2022, modifies the list of approved Food Analyst Laboratories and analysts by adding three new analysts and removing three existing entries. The core purpose of the amendment appears to be to update and maintain the list of authorized food analysts and laboratories. Key findings indicate a shift in personnel authorized for food analysis, potentially impacting the geographical distribution and capacity of accredited labs. **2. Introduction:** This report provides an analysis of the notification published by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on February 15, 2022. The report focuses on the changes introduced by the amendment, their potential impact, and implementation aspects based solely on the provided text. **3. Policy Overview:** * **Original Policy:** The amendment refers to the original notification number F. No. 12015052021QA published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part III, Section 4, dated July 2nd, 2021. * **Core Objective(s):** Based on the text, the core objective of the original notification, and consequently this amendment, is to maintain an updated list of designated Food Analyst Laboratories and approved analysts, as per the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. **4. Background and Rationale:** The amendment appears to be driven by the need to update the list of approved Food Analysts. The inclusion of new analysts and omission of existing ones suggests personnel changes within the approved laboratories. The changes could be due to analysts joining/leaving labs, changes in accreditation status, or other factors affecting their eligibility to perform food analysis under the FSS Act. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This notification amends the list of approved Food Analyst Laboratories and Analysts. Specifically: * **Change 1:** After serial number 145 in the original table, three new entries are added: * S. No. 146: Mr. Surender Singh Raghav, National Food Laboratory, Navi Mumbai. * S. No. 147: Mr. Nagarajan Abimannan, National Food Laboratory, Navi Mumbai. * S. No. 148: Mr. Karunanidhi, Ms. ABC Techno Labs India Private Limited, Chennai. * **Change 2:** At serial numbers 1, 10, and 126, the corresponding entries of the row shall be omitted. The addition of new analysts at two different locations (Navi Mumbai and Chennai) will likely expand the capacity and availability of approved food analysis. The omission of entries 1, 10, and 126 reduces the availability of approved analysts. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The primary target audience includes: * **Food Analyst Laboratories:** Particularly National Food Laboratory, Navi Mumbai and ABC Techno Labs India Private Limited, Chennai. * **Food Analysts:** Specifically, Mr. Surender Singh Raghav, Mr. Nagarajan Abimannan, and Mr. Karunanidhi. * **Food Businesses:** Requiring food analysis services, who can now utilize the services of the newly listed analysts. * **FSSAI:** For implementation and oversight. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency:** The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is responsible for implementing and overseeing this amendment. * **Procedures:** The amendment is effective from the date of publication (February 15, 2022). Food businesses and other stakeholders should update their records accordingly. Laboratories need to ensure analysts are properly authorized. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The addition of the three new food analysts is likely to: * Increase the capacity of approved laboratories to conduct food analysis, especially in the Navi Mumbai and Chennai regions. * Improve the efficiency of food safety monitoring and compliance activities. * Ensure the availability of qualified personnel for food analysis. * Increase competition among labs for testing contracts. The omission of the three entries will likely have the opposite effect and could decrease capacity. **9. Conclusion:** This amendment to the FSSAI notification serves to update the list of approved Food Analyst Laboratories and Analysts. The addition of three analysts and removal of three entries aims to optimize the food safety testing network. The changes likely reflect ongoing efforts by FSSAI to maintain a robust and reliable system for food safety monitoring and compliance. Food businesses need to be aware of these changes to ensure they utilize approved and authorized food analysts for regulatory compliance.

Key Entities Referenced