Union Health Minister Inaugurates Milestone Summit
New Delhi, July 20, 2023 – In an epoch-making event, the Global Food Regulators Summit 2023 commenced in New Delhi, India, with the honorable presence of Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare Shri Narendra Tomar, and Dr. Bedu Ram Bhusal, Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Development of Nepal. The summit, organized by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), aims to foster collaboration among food regulators from around the world and address vital issues concerning food safety and security across the entire food value chain.
One Health Approach for a Balanced and Healthy Future
In his inaugural address, Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya emphasized the indispensable link between safe food and good health, asserting that “Balanced, safe and nutritious food acts as preventive care, ensuring our health and wellness.” He underlined the need to delve deep into issues of food grains, food safety, and food security for sustainable global development. Advocating the One Health approach, Dr. Mandaviya stressed the importance of an integrated platform that considers the health of climate, human, animal, and plant.
Shri Narendra Tomar, the guest of honor, highlighted the fundamental right to food and the significance of securing its availability and affordability for all. He stressed the need to view the agriculture sector and food industry as a single entity encompassing the entire value chain, from agricultural inputs to end-consumers, to ensure food safety and security. The welfare of farmers remained central to his address, advocating for the use of resilient food crops like millets to combat adverse climatic conditions.
The summit garnered global attention, with participants discussing potential health hazards posed by plastic, nutraceuticals, and metals in the food supply. Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor, Government of India, encouraged exploring alternatives to single-use plastics and promoting circularity in food-grade plastic production.
Promoting Sustainable Solutions for Food Safety
The event also saw the launch of the “Food-o-Copoeia,” a comprehensive collection of food category-wise monographs and a unified reference for all applicable standards, regulations, and provisions related to food safety. Another milestone was the introduction of the “SaNGRAH” platform, a database of Food Regulatory Authorities from 76 countries, aimed at fostering international cooperation and solidarity.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, congratulated the organizers for this pioneering summit and called for collective efforts to ensure access to safe and nutritious food for all.
The Global Food Regulators Summit 2023 continues to address challenges and solutions for global food safety and innovative ways to enhance food emergency responses. With a focus on sustainable practices and resilient food supply, this summit heralds a new era of collaboration for a world where safe and nutritious food is accessible to every individual.
