Emergency preparedness for unexpected food safety challenges 
(Safe fish for healthy life)

                                                                                                          Dr. George Ninan, Director, ICAR-CIFT addressing the participants

On June 7, 2024, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (ICAR-CIFT), Cochin, hosted a comprehensive webinar on "Emergency Preparedness for Unexpected Food Safety Challenges," in observance of World Food Safety Day. The event was conducted online with 4 expert talks and interactive discussions. The first session was presented by Prof. (Dr.) Iddya Karunasagar, an international consultant in food safety (FAO) and Advisor at Nitte University. He delivered a presentation on "Emerging Food Safety Issues in the Seafood Sector and Framing Strategies to Tackle Them". Dr. Karunasagar discussed various food safety challenges in the seafood sector, including contamination risks, handling practices, and the impact of climate change on seafood safety. He emphasized the need for effective strategies to address these emerging issues. Dr. Usharani Dandamudi, Principal Scientist at CSIR-CFTRI, discussed "Risk Assessment and MRL Fixation for Pesticides in Food Products," focusing on methods for determining safe pesticide levels in food. She highlighted the importance of safe pesticide usage and the regulatory frameworks that ensure minimal health risks. Ms. Dhanya K.N., Deputy Director at FSSAI, presented "FSSAI and Its Initiative to Serve Safe Food," highlighting the regulatory body's efforts and initiatives to ensure food safety across India viz.,. the development of food safety standards, training programs, and public awareness campaigns aimed at promoting safe and healthy food practices. Ms. Selma Pourzal, Aquaculture Policy Specialist at the USFDA, delivered a presentation on "Food Defence: Guidance and Regulation to Prevent Unexpected Food Safety Emergencies." She outlined regulatory measures and best practices for preventing food safety emergencies, particularly in the context of seafood. The webinar also included a Q&A session, where participants engaged with the speakers, seeking insights into various food safety challenges and solutions. The webinar provided valuable knowledge and strategies for tackling unexpected food safety challenges. The discussions highlighted the critical role of preparedness and effective regulatory frameworks in ensuring the safety of our food supply.

Left to Right: Dr. Laly, S.J., (Senior Scientist, ICAR-CIFT & Co-convenor), Ms. Priya, E. R., (Scientist, ICAR-CIFT & Co-convenor) Dr. Zynudheen, A.A., (Head, Quality Assurance and Management Division, ICAR-CIFT & Programme Convenor), Dr. Femeena Hassan, (Principal Scientist, ICAR-CIFT & Co-convenor), Dr. Pankaj Kishore (Senior Scientist, ICAR-CIFT & Co-convenor)