G20 Global Food Regulators Summit being held in New Delhi on 20th and 21st July; being held in India for the first time

Newdelhi:17/7/2 3:The Global Food Regulators Summit 2023 is being organized in Delhi for the first time, as a G20 event. The summit is being organized by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) under the aegis of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on 20th and 21st July, 2023 at Manekshaw Auditorium, New Delhi.

Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) unveiled the logo of the Summit today in presence of Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prof. S P Singh Baghel. “This is the first time the summit is being held outside Rome, Italy. The Global Food Regulators Summit will bring focus on the crucial aspect of food safety, which needs as much attention as food security”, he stated. He added that the summit will serve as a platform for food regulators from over 40 countries to collaborate and work together. The event will also see participation of representatives from 30 international organisations and 25 international research institutes/universities.The Union Minister further expressed his confidence that through collective efforts, the summit would lead to the harmonization of global food safety standards, improved regulatory frameworks, and the provision of safe and high-quality food for consumers worldwide.

Prof. S P Singh Baghel, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare calling the Global Food Regulators Summit as both, important and relevant said, “This summit aligns with the theme of India’s G20 Presidency- One Earth, One Family, One Future. Indian tradition has always been about Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, and this summit is a step in that direction.

Another remarkable initiative is the common regulators platform ‘SaNGRAH’ (Safe food for Nations: Global food Regulatory Authorities Handbook). It is a comprehensive database of Food Regulatory Authorities from 76 countries worldwide, presenting their mandates, food safety ecosystems, food testing facilities, contact details for food authorities, and information related to SPS/TBT/Codex/ WAHO. SaNGRAH is available not only in Hindi and English but also in six Indian languages—Gujarati, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam.

Additionally, the Summit will witness the launch of a Common Digital Dashboard—a unified IT portal providing comprehensive information on standards, regulations, notifications, advisories, guidelines, contamination limits, and the latest developments by Food Regulators in India.

Shri G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, CEO, FSSAI, said, “Over the course of two days, the summit will feature a diverse range of activities, including keynote addresses by international organizations and scientists, technical and plenary sessions with food regulators, interactive sessions with national and international stakeholders, and bilateral and multilateral meetings to address current and emerging challenges.”