Context: Recently, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched the Food Import Rejection Alert (FIRA) portal, which will notify authorities about food consignments rejected at Indian borders due to safety concerns.

About Food Import Rejection Alert Portal

• It is an online service developed by the Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to notify the public and food safety authorities about food import denials at Indian borders.

Key Features

• The platform enables the rapid transmission of information between food safety authorities at the global level. This guarantees that any food safety and health concerns raised by rejected imports are communicated immediately and efficiently.

• The portal enables relevant food authorities to implement quick preventive and control measures by delivering timely notifications. This helps to reduce potential health concerns before they become harmful.

• The portal has an interactive internet interface that allows for rapid data transmission. This interface improves traceability and transparency, allowing authorities to track and handle rejected food products better.

• The portal serves as a complete database for tracking rejected food items. This database is critical for improving the overall risk management system by enabling more effective monitoring and analysing of food safety trends.

About the Global Food Regulators Summit 2024

• The Global Food Regulators Summit 2024 was organised at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. It focused on improving worldwide collaboration on food safety and regulatory frameworks.

• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has organised the event to highlight India's emerging leadership in food safety standards and international regulatory frameworks.

• This meeting was attended by delegates from over 50 nations, including Food Regulatory Bodies, Risk Assessment Authorities, and Research Institutes.

About Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)

• The FSSAI is a statutory body that reports to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It was established under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 to safeguard and promote public health through food safety regulation and monitoring. FSSAI was established in 2008.

• The FSSAI has its headquarters at New Delhi. The authority also has four regional offices located in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai.

• The FSSAI is headed by a non-executive chairperson, appointed by the central government, either holding or has held the position of not below the rank of Secretary to the Government of India.

• FSSAI regulates the production, storage, distribution, sale, and import of food products to ensure their safety for consumption.

• It sets scientific standards for food goods to ensure their safety and quality.

• It provides licences and registers food enterprises to ensure they meet food safety regulations.

• It controls food testing laboratories and thoroughly examines food to ensure its quality.

• It runs many campaigns to educate people about food safety and nutrition.