Identifying the need for Food Safety and Quality at the MoFPI-CII-QCI Sensitization Program on Food Safety Systems in Hyderabad on 13th February, Mr K.Rajeswara Rao, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India said that the Ministry is according a top priority to the sector and has earmarked Rs 250 crore towards this in the 11th Five Year Plan.

Addressing the 1day program, where Dr Indrani Ghose, Principal Counsellor, CII-Institute of Quality was the lead faculty, Mr Rao highlighted the various initiatives being implemented under the 11th Plan such as schemes for Quality Assurance, Codex Standards, R&D, strengthening the Codex Cell, setting up and upgrading of Food Labs and promotional activities like Exhibitions, Seminars, Workshops, Publications, short films and documentaries. In his address, he emphasized that it was vital to sensitise the masses about aspects of protecting themselves against foodborne illness. He mentioned that in addition to these, the Central Government with the help of CII, Municipal bodies, NGOs & others are implementing a novel scheme to improve the safety of Street Food.

Safe farm produce could be rendered unfit for human consumption during transportation, storage, packaging and food preparation if handled unhygienically said Mr Utpal Sengupta, Chairman, CII, AP Chapter and Vice Chairman Agrotech Foods Limited.

Cost Reduction and enhancement of production efficiency by categorically identifying Waste, Strain and Inconsistencies in the operations are the key challenges oganisations face for implementing effective and sustainable Food Safety Systems. Dr Indrani Ghose in her presentation took the delegates through the implementation methodology of 3M, 5S, GHP, GMP, ISO 22000 while the Regional Director, Indian Institute of Packaging, Mr B.K.Karna and Mr Arun Methan, Metro Cash and Carry outlined the trends in Food Safety in Packaging and Transportation and Expectations of Modern Trade from the Food Processing Sector.

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