The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has announced not to accept Genetically Modified (GM) food approval requests under the Non-Specified Food Regulations until there's a specific regulations for GM food are prepared.
FBO's dealing in GM and GMO derived food has been asked by the food regulators to reach FSSAI only after notification of the GM Regulations.
The Non-Specified Food Regulations were notified in 2017 for approval of non-specified food including novel foods.
In this regard, an advisory has issued by the food regulator saying that in the absence of such guidelines or regulations for GM or GM derived material, the food industries and businesses try to get permission under the FSS (Approval for Non Specified Food and Food Ingredients) Regulations 2017, for the motive of registration and licensing. And such applications shall not be entertained by the food regulator.
“FSSAI is in the process of developing the regulations/guidelines for the safety assessment of such foods. Considering the same, till GM regulations/guidelines were notified, FSSAI has decided that no applications related to GM or GM derived material shall be accepted under the NSF regulations,” as per the notice by FSSAI.
Furthermore, the Notice of FSSAI also mentioned that such firms willing to seek approval for GM or GM-derived food can directly approach FSSAI only after GM regulations are notified.
About Food Safety and Standards Authority of India:
FSSAI has been set up under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 which amalgamates various orders & acts related to food issues in many Ministries and Departments.
It establishes science-based standards for articles of food and regulates their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food to 130 crore citizens of the country.
It is also accountable for promoting and protecting public health through the supervision and regulation of food safety.
