The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) will form special panel to review the existing regulations with respect to organic food products. A special panel has been constituted by the food authority to review organic products and their certifications.
Review will Ensure Authenticity of the Organic Food Products
This move by FSSAI is aimed at ensuring the authenticity of organic food products and their growing demand whereas the objective is to improve the organic farming certification process and also to improve the certification process of organic produce. Notably, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under Ministry of Commerce has also revised its organic certification programme called National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) for accreditation of certification bodies, making it more farmer friendly and helpful in achieving export targets.
Notably, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority promotes exports of agri-products such as rice, fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy, and develops markets and infrastructure. The move by the FSSAI will make certification processes complementary with other departments’ programmes and the panel would recommend a comprehensive framework for the upcoming five-year period. Further, the review will also focus on streamlining of the Organic food Products certification, harmonisation of the standards with global standards and penal provisions for misleading claims. Besides, the traceability factor would also be strengthened. Special Panel by FSSAI to review is also aimed at ensuring trust on organic products claim with stricter compliance norms and the move is aligned with the Government vision to become a trusted organic food products exporter in the next five years with a goal of achieving US$2 billion worth organic food & organic brands export.