FSSAI to hold meeting on Feb 9 to discuss Roadmap on Large Scale Fortification of Milk in India

New Delhi, Feb 3 (KNN) The Foods Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) will hold discussions with stakeholders on February 9 to discuss Roadmap on Large Scale Fortification of Milk in India.

FSSAI, under the leadership of Pawan Agarwal, CEO, FSSAI, had organised a National Summit on Food Fortification: Enriching Foods, Enriching Lives, on 16-17 October 2016.

The February 9 meeting is being held as a follow-up of the Summit.

The stakeholders would discuss the time frame by which the companies engaged in packaging/marketing of processed milk (Toned, double toned and skimmed milk) will fortify milk with Vitamin A & D.

The members would also discuss about publicity and marketing initiatives on Fortified Milk.

India is the largest milk producing country in the world contributing approximately 17% of the total world production of milk.

With the change in lifestyle patterns, increasing disposable incomes and increasing health consciousness are the key growth drivers for milk and high value milk products in India. Increasing demand of good quality milk is pushing the whole industry to change and make ways for modern solutions of dairy farming.

The 3 main Food Safety issues in dairy are related to - Receiving /Collection; Processing of Milk; and Post Processing issues.

In order to ease the understanding of the applicability of the regulation for Milk and Milk Products discussion would be held to review the gaps in existing regulations.

Some of the gaps that have been identified are - GHPs/GMPs which are specific for Milk and Milk Products sector to be reviewed; Specific Standards/guidelines to be followed in choosing the raw material, storage, cleaning and pre-treatment; Code of practice in handling and storage of Milk and Milk Products; Code of practice for transportation and storage of Milk and Milk Products; and Specific requirements in choosing the equipment or material in contact with food product (milk).

In order to address these issues, it is proposed to comprehensively review Good hygiene and sanitary requirements for Milk and Milk Products.  In this context, the food authority in its 21st meeting approved to constitute “Technical Groups/Panels” with participation of experts from the industry and scientific community for development of elaborate food hygienic and safety requirements. 

Stakeholders views have been sought on proposed terms of reference for Milk and Milk Products for development of GHP and GMP requirements under schedule 4 of FSS (Licensing & Registration of Food Businesses), 2011 for Milk and Milk Products; Development of model FSMS plans for each product in the sector; and Development of guidelines and training modules for Regulators and FBO’s for implementation of the revised “Schedule 4” requirements.