India and Bhutan strengthen collaboration on food safety

The Agreement aims to recognise the official control exercised by BFDA over food business operators (FBOs) by the FSSAI

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare conducted a bilateral meeting with the Bhutan Food and Drug Authority (BFDA) on the sidelines of the Global Food Regulators Summit, at Bharat Mandapam. The meeting focused on the implementation protocol of the “Agreement” signed between India and BFDA on 21 March 2024, during the visit of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. This Agreement underscores a mutual commitment to enhancing food safety, aligning regulatory frameworks, simplifying the Food Import Procedure and fostering technical collaboration.

The Agreement aims to recognise the official control exercised by BFDA over food business operators (FBOs) by the FSSAI. The Agreement further seeks to enhance technical cooperation between FSSAI and BFDA, establishing a functional mechanism to facilitate and develop trade between the two countries.

The meeting focused on the Implementation of the said Agreement and steps taken by both FSSAI and BFDA in this regard. To further enhance this collaboration, various capacity-building and technical collaborations for the BFDA officials were discussed.

G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, CEO, of FSSAI, stated that the “meeting marks a pivotal development in our partnership with Bhutan in the area of food safety and trade facilitation. The Agreement and the outcomes of our discussions are set to streamline trade processes and enhance food safety standards. This collaboration highlights our shared commitment to maintaining the highest quality standards for consumers. By working closely with the BFDA, we are building a robust and effective food safety framework that will serve the interests of both nations.”