| |DECEMBER 202119microbial contamination, pesticide residues, veterinary drugs, metal contamination, Aflatoxin B1, B2, M1 and M2, naturally occurring toxic substances (agaric acid, hydrocyanic acid, hypericin and safrole), melamine in milk and milk powder, packaging materials used in packaging food shall be of food grade, utensils and crockery used for cooking and serving conforming to BIS specifications, dioxins, chemicals used as food additives, hormones, presence of genetically food, Nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, organic food etc. Keeping in mind the recent infrastructural situation it seems challenging for most of the food testing laboratories of India, to analyze the referred safety standard parameters.OUTDATED LAWThere are lots of major transformations happening in the Indian food Industry. For example, the demand for organic food is rising at a considerable pace. The food processing types and techniques are also witnessing changes with every passing day. Technologies like, cold plasma, radio frequency pasteurization, and gaseous chlorine dioxide are now coming into play. The report of PAC, 2021 says, "A mechanism may be evolved for frequent and regular reviews of the regulatory framework and regulations notified to keep pace with the changing food processing technology and emerging new trends in consumer food taste." New robust regulations will positively benefit the food testing industry and ensure the well-being of the citizen.WHAT'S NEXT?In a recently held virtual event, FSSAI stated that they are hopeful about the deployment of next-generation technical tools such as blockchain and machine learning to assure food safety and quality. The advent and the advancement of IoT, blockchain and machine learning marks new possibilities for the whole world, and the food testing industry is no exception. These new tools can revamp the infrastructure of the food testing industry in India and ultimately upgrade the quality of the food produced in the country. The consciousness of the people about their well being may have been the silver lining of the virus outbreak
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