The current system of having eight sub-panels such as for functional foods and nutraceuticals, working on drafting of regulations under the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006, is likely to be revamped, either in the form of sub-panels taking additional roles in related areas or the apex food regulator adding new categories of panels.
However, in this regard, no notification has been issued by the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Also, as per a regulatory affairs veteran, “No time-frame has been set for this process.”
Meanwhile, FSSAI chairman K Chandramouli, speaking at a conference in Mumbai, had stated that there had been difficulties in putting together a set of science-based standards for food articles, owing to the country's diverse food culture. And, hence, it had become imperative to change the present format of sub-panels.
A member of FSSAI's scientific committee (which comprises the chiefs of the eight scientific sub-panels), confirmed that such a change was in the offing but declined to reveal further details while raising doubts over continuance of his membership in the future.
