On 7 June 2024, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (ICAR-CIFT), Cochin, hosted a webinar on "Emergency Preparedness for Unexpected Food Safety Challenges," in observance of World Food Safety Day.

The event was conducted online with four expert talks and interactive discussions. The first session was presented by Prof. Dr Iddya Karunasagar, an international consultant in food safety and advisor at Nitte University. He delivered a presentation on "Emerging Food Safety Issues in the Seafood Sector and Framing Strategies to Tackle Them". Dr Karunasagar discussed various food safety challenges in the seafood sector, including contamination risks, handling practices, and the impact of climate change on seafood safety. He emphasized the need for effective strategies to address these emerging issues.

Dr Usharani Dandamudi, Principal Scientist at the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CSIR-CFTRI), discussed "Risk Assessment and Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) Fixation for Pesticides in Food Products," focusing on methods for determining safe pesticide levels in food. She highlighted the importance of safe pesticide usage and the regulatory frameworks that ensure minimal health risks.

Ms Dhanya K.N., Deputy Director at the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), presented "FSSAI and Its Initiative to Serve Safe Food," highlighting the regulatory body's efforts and initiatives to ensure food safety across India including the development of food safety standards, training programmes, and public awareness campaigns aimed at promoting safe and healthy food practices.

Ms Selma Pourzal, Aquaculture Policy Specialist at the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), delivered a presentation on "Food Defence: Guidance and Regulation to Prevent Unexpected Food Safety Emergencies." She outlined regulatory measures and best practices for preventing food safety emergencies, particularly in the context of seafood.

The webinar also included a question and answer session, where participants engaged with the speakers, seeking insights into various food safety challenges and solutions. The webinar provided valuable knowledge and strategies for tackling unexpected food safety challenges. The discussions highlighted the critical role of preparedness and effective regulatory frameworks in ensuring the safety of our food supply.

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World Food Safety Day events this year

Photo © ICAR-CIFT

Left to Right: Dr Laly, S.J., (Senior Scientist, ICAR-CIFT & Co-convenor), Ms Priya, E. R., (Scientist, ICAR-CIFT & Co-convenor) Dr Zynudheen, A.A., (Head, Quality Assurance and Management Division, ICAR-CIFT & Programme Convenor), Dr Femeena Hassan, (Principal Scientist, ICAR-CIFT & Co-convenor), Dr Pankaj Kishore (Senior Scientist, ICAR-CIFT & Co-convenor)