In a first of its kind move in the country, FDCA, Gujarat, has taken an initiative to ensure that the quality of food products manufactured in Gujarat and exported to the US is in compliance with the US FDA norms.
A training programme, in this regard, is under way in the state since last March, as per the guidance provided by officials from US FDA who visited the state. US FDA officials are scheduled to revisit Gujarat in March 2020 to finalise the deal and set things in motion for the exports to begin.
Employees work with potato processing in machinery at the Himalya International Limited food processing facility at Sultanpur village near Vadnaga. Photo credit SAM PANTHAKY/AFP/GettyImages
According to Food and Bevearges News, Hemant Koshia, Commissioner, Food and Drug Control Administration, Gujarat, stated, “The core value behind the tie-up is to safeguard public health while maintaining the standards of food products.”
Koshia informed that Pawan Kumar Agarwal, CEO, FSSAI, is set to visit Gujarat, to meet him and other officials in order to focus on creation of a network of professionals, milk vendor screening centres, hygiene ratings programme, which will be required for the programme. The network will be key as Gujarat is a major exporter of seafood, milk products, vegetables, fruits and spices.
When asked about how it was to be the first state in the country to be associated with the US FDA in this way, Koshia said, “We (Gujarat FDCA) and US FDA have common objectives with regards to food and pharmaceuticals. With this partnership, all of India can benefit because we believe in sharing of information and knowledge in order to safeguard public health with regards to food and pharmaceuticals.”
According to Koshia, Rajasthan will be the next state to follow and slowly all other states will go in for such a tie-up.
Meanwhile, the FDCA Commissioner is hoping for a successful outcome of the meeting with the US FDA officials to be held next March. He believes that the philosophies of the US FDA have been completely recognised and that the Gujarat FDCA is ready for the next step with major improvement in the safety of food sector.
Koshia observed, “We are learning from the best practices set by US FDA and learning from them directly is a huge step towards ensuring safety of the food and pharma products, not only for Gujarat but also for the nation.”
On a concluding note, Koshia was all praise for the FSSAI. “It has been extremely encouraging and giving full support to the Gujarat FDCA with regard to the tie-up,” he said.
