Author: adminindfba

Final Program Report – World Food Day 2023

Ind Food and Beverage Association (IFBA) organized a webinar titled "Global Science for Global
Wellbeing" on the 28th February 2023 on the occasion of National Science Day to leverage food
science for human well-being and create awareness behind the science involved in understanding the
human nutrition needs, processing, and daily consumption of food products. The webinar had
experts from NIN, FSSAI, PBFIA, Auric and Sekurecloud.
The webinar built a community of scientists, regulators and industry partners committed to use
science in imparting health and wellness to people. The science behind food processing and
assimilation helped corroborate its impact on our health and to improve it further. It was interesting
to note that IT services like Block chain brings in transparency and accountability to improve food
safety and reduce food waste from farm to fork. This webinar added different dimensions of science
to the food sector and strengthened the vision of India being a Nutrition Leader in World.

IFBA lays its focus on the industry challenges (e.g., in food regulations, consumer response
system, crisis management) faced by individual member organizations for adequate redressal
to ensure business continuity. IFBA Planning Meet (2023-24) was held on 17/7/2023 at The
Quorum, Gurugram. The meeting was held with an objective to discuss and arrive at the top 3
issues / challenges faced by the members for collective representation.
Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labelling (FOPNL) and High Fat, Salt and Sugar (HFSS) continues to
remain top priority for all members which is continuously tapped by IFBA for developments and
necessary submissions. Additionally, Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules and Single-Use-
Plastic (SUP) Ban, Measures for handling Spurious and Counterfeit products and Building
positive image of Ultra-processed foods emerged as top 3 common issues amongst the
members.
Other potential issues discussed were as follows:
– FSSAI needs to conduct detailed Risk Management while notifying regulations
– Frequent Notifications (Operationalization Orders) issued by FSSAI for immediate
implementation impacting business
– FSSAI should reply to consumers on misleading social media posts
– Influencers without having credibility spreading misinformation
– Misbranding Litigations concerning manufacturer are attributed across supply chain
– Default Tolerance of Maximum Residual Limits (MRL) for pesticides
– Tolerance criteria for Nutritional Analysis
– Relaxation for Start-ups / MSMEs
– Sustainability (green laws)
The meeting was well represented by the top officials and subject matter experts from the
members.