FSSAI Extends Deadline to Provide Feedback on GM Food Standards

Under pressure from non-governmental organizations, scientists, and activists, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has extended the deadline for providing feedback on draft genetically modified food guidelines to February 5. The previous deadline had expired on January 15.

Anti-GMO organizations, scientists, and farmers petitioned the FSSAI earlier this month to extend the deadline to allow stakeholders more time to submit their comments.

Though it extended the deadline, the FSSAI, however, has not responded to the demand for publishing the draft guidelines in vernacular languages.

"It is hesitant to hold widespread consultations across the country." "This limited-time extension is insufficient and insignificant," according to the Coalition for a GM-Free India. "It may be useful to some extent, but it does not address what we have been asking for," the organization stated on Monday.

Some people appeared to want to avoid eating genetically modified organisms. It stated that it expected the government to hold discussions to solicit their input.

The Coalition believed that the draft guidelines should be published in regional languages so that people in different states could understand the implications and express their opinions.

"We urge Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to intervene in this matter and not leave this critical issue to the regulatory body FSSAI," the statement said.

The Coalition claimed that the proposed guidelines made no provision for a long-term, comprehensive, and independent testing regime.

It was pointed out that there was no provision for independent data analysis or public scrutiny.

Main Functions of FSSAI          

• The main function of FSSAI is to promote and safeguard public health by regulating and supervising safety standards of food. 

• It sets food standards and clears doubts, confusion, myths related to food and business related to food from the minds of manufacturers, traders, users, and anybody associated with the food industry directly or indirectly. 

• To put it in simplest terms, the role of FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) is to ensure that the food you eat is safe and nutritious.