The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA) to boost collaboration in the field of food safety. The MoU was formalized on the sidelines of the Global Food Regulators Summit 2024, held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

This agreement signals a fresh phase of cooperation between the two nations, aimed at improving food safety standards through joint projects and technical exchanges. Mr. Carlos Henrique Baqueta Fávaro, Brazil’s Agriculture and Livestock Minister, signed the MoU on behalf of Brazil, while Shri G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, the CEO of FSSAI, signed on behalf of India.

Shri G. Kamala Vardhana Rao emphasized the importance of the agreement, stating, "This MoU demonstrates our commitment to ensuring food safety and represents a significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to strengthen international cooperation in food safety. We look forward to working with MAPA to achieve our shared objectives and enhance food safety standards in both countries."

The Brazilian Minister of Agriculture and Livestock echoed similar sentiments. He remarked, “This MoU represents a key milestone in the bilateral relations between Brazil and India in the field of food safety. It will allow for technical cooperation and the exchange of expertise and knowledge. The aim is to strengthen institutional collaboration and undertake joint initiatives that will benefit both nations."

Both FSSAI and MAPA are committed to fostering a strong and mutually beneficial partnership. The MoU opens the door to a variety of collaborative initiatives that will focus on sharing best practices, implementing new food safety standards, and improving the overall safety of food products traded between India and Brazil.

This agreement is expected to benefit both countries by enhancing their respective food safety mechanisms. The technical exchanges and joint projects that will emerge from this collaboration will be essential in maintaining high food safety standards in a rapidly globalizing food supply chain.

The Global Food Regulators Summit 2024 provided the perfect backdrop for this agreement, symbolizing the growing importance of international cooperation in food safety. With this partnership, both India and Brazil have taken a significant step toward ensuring the safety of food products for their citizens while fostering closer economic and institutional ties.

As global food systems become more interconnected, this MoU underscores the importance of cooperation between countries to address shared challenges and ensure safe, high-quality food for all.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Ankur Deka/MSM)