The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), operating under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), had the privilege of hosting Her Excellency Madam Sajidha Mohamed, the First Lady of the Republic of Maldives, along with her delegation, at its headquarters in FDA Bhawan, New Delhi. The meeting, held today, highlighted mutual interests in enhancing food safety standards and explored potential collaborations between India and the Maldives.
During her visit, the First Lady engaged in a detailed conversation with India’s representative for the Codex Alimentarius Commission, which is responsible for ensuring global food safety standards. The discussions revolved around various aspects of food safety, regulatory frameworks, and India’s robust system of maintaining food quality across the nation. The First Lady was particularly interested in India’s established laboratory infrastructure, which plays a vital role in ensuring that food safety standards are adhered to at all levels.
FSSAI officials provided insights into their laboratory ecosystems that support high-level food testing and quality checks. The organization runs an extensive network of labs across the country, focusing on upholding the standards outlined in the Food Safety and Standards Act. These facilities play a critical role in protecting consumers and ensuring that food products in the market meet strict safety requirements.
During the discussions, H.E. Madam Sajidha Mohamed remarked on the potential benefits of a collaborative effort between the two nations in the realm of food safety. She emphasized that strengthening food safety standards is a growing priority for the Maldives, and she expressed a keen interest in working alongside India to elevate the quality and safety of food products within her country.
As part of the visit, FSSAI also showcased one of its most innovative initiatives, Food Safety on Wheels (FSW). This mobile food testing laboratory serves as a powerful tool in the country’s mission to promote food safety awareness and conduct on-the-spot food quality tests. The initiative has been instrumental in bringing food safety testing to rural and remote areas, where access to laboratory facilities may be limited. By offering quick and reliable testing services directly at the source, FSW has made a significant impact on the ground.
The First Lady praised this initiative, acknowledging its value in creating awareness and ensuring food safety at the grassroots level. She noted that such an approach could be invaluable in the Maldives as well, where mobile testing units could similarly raise awareness and provide essential services across the islands.
FSSAI’s leadership expressed their enthusiasm for future cooperation with the Maldives, emphasizing the shared commitment to safeguarding public health through stringent food safety standards. The meeting concluded with an agreement to explore opportunities for collaboration, particularly in areas where both countries could mutually benefit from the exchange of knowledge and resources.
The visit of H.E. Madam Sajidha Mohamed to FSSAI underscores the growing importance of international cooperation in the realm of food safety and highlights India’s role as a leader in this critical area. Both India and the Maldives are poised to work together to ensure safer food for their populations through enhanced standards, regulatory systems, and innovative initiatives like Food Safety on Wheels.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Ankur Deka/MSM)