FSSAI, WHO Launch Comprehensive Online Training Programme on Food Safety Risk Assessment
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) inaugurated a first-of-its-kind pilot training programme on Food Safety Risk Assessment. Developed jointly with the World Health Organization (WHO), the initiative aims to build institutional capacity for science-based food regulation, which serves as the scientific backbone of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The programme’s curriculum ranges from basic to advanced levels, aligning international risk analysis principles with India’s specific regulatory requirements.
Key Training Components and Digital Infrastructure The training addresses complex challenges such as emerging contaminants, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and changing dietary patterns. A dedicated digital training portal was also launched to serve as a long-term platform for hosting modules and expert sessions.
Dietary Exposure Assessment: A core module linking hazard data with India-specific consumption patterns to generate country-relevant scientific evidence.
Specialized Modules: Expert-led training on Microbiological Risk Assessment, Toxicology, and Antimicrobial Resistance.
Phased Rollout: Initially offered to young and mid-level officers at FSSAI Headquarters, the programme will eventually extend to regional offices, state authorities, and technical institutions.
What is the “Dietary Exposure Assessment” component in this training programme? Dietary Exposure Assessment is the process of estimating the amount of a specific biological or chemical hazard that an Indian population or subgroup consumes via their diet. Developed with WHO technical support, this module uses India-specific food consumption data—accounting for local habits and portion sizes—to calculate the likely intake of contaminants or additives. This scientific evidence allows FSSAI to determine if a specific substance poses a public health risk based on actual Indian eating patterns rather than generic global data.
Policy Relevance
The launch of this programme marks a significant shift in India’s regulatory approach toward data-driven, preemptive health protection.
Transition to Evidence-Based Standards: By institutionalizing risk assessment as a regular regulatory practice, FSSAI ensures that future food standards and “safe limits” are backed by robust scientific evidence rather than just opinions.
Streamlining Approvals: The training aligns with new 2026 regulations requiring a specific 23-point scientific format for risk assessment applications, which is intended to increase transparency and reduce delays in product approvals.
Global Knowledge Leadership: India is the first country where such a comprehensive capacity-building programme has been initiated by WHO with a national authority, positioning India as a regional knowledge hub under the Codex Trust Fund.
Strengthening Consumer Trust: Investing in scientific human resources is critical for boosting regulatory credibility and consumer confidence in the safety of products entering the market.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: How can FSSAI leverage the new “Digital Training Portal” to create a mandatory certification for state-level food safety officers to ensure uniform application of risk assessment principles across all of India’s states and UTs?
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