The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has set up a committee to examine applications for Rapid Analytical Food Testing (RAFT) kits, equipment, and methods. The goal of this move is to streamline food testing, reducing costs and speeding up the process of food safety compliance.
The committee will include a diverse group of experts from various scientific fields, including microbiology, biotechnology, and veterinary science. They will evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the RAFT kits and equipment, ensuring that they meet the requirements of the Food Safety and Standards Regulations and are validated against international standards.
The committee for scrutinization of Rapid Analytical Food Testing (RAFT) Kit/Equipment/Method Applications includes the following members:
- Dr. Lalitha Ramakrishna Gowda, Chief Scientist (Retd.), CFTRI, Mysuru
- Dr. Ajit Dua, CEO, Punjab Biotechnology Incubator, Mohali
- Dr. Anoop A. Krishnan, Assistant Director (Tech.), Export Inspection Agency, Kochi
- Dr. Bhaskar Datta, Associate Professor, Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar
- Dr. Deepak Sharma, Principal Scientist, CSIR – Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh
- Dr. Kaushik Banerjee, Principal Scientist, National Referral Laboratory, National Research Centre for Grapes, Pune
- Dr. Kiran N Bhilegaonkar, Principal Scientist and Station In-Charge, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute Regional Station, Pune
- Prof. Dr. T.G. Shrivastav, Head, National Institute of Health and Family Welfare, Munirka, New Delhi.
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The FSSAI has emphasized that the rapid food testing kits are meant for screening and surveillance purposes only, and not intended for definitive analysis. The aim is to enable food safety officers and mobile testing labs to conduct on-the-spot field testing for faster, cheaper, and better real-time results. The RAFT kits and equipment are smaller and faster than conventional methods, making them an excellent choice for on-the-go testing.
The committee’s recommendations will be evaluated by the Scientific Panel on Methods of Sampling and Analysis and approved by the Competent Authority before adoption/implementation. This move is expected to improve food safety compliance, making it easier and more affordable for food businesses to ensure their products are safe and meet the necessary standards.
The FSSAI’s decision to constitute a committee for Rapid Analytical Food Testing kits is a step in the right direction. By embracing technology and innovation, the food industry can ensure that its products are safe and of high quality, while also improving efficiency and reducing costs. The RAFT kits and equipment will undoubtedly play a crucial role in achieving these goals, making it easier and faster for food businesses to comply with food safety standards.
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