In a letter dated 16th February 2015 the FSSAI has invited applications as an expression of interest for nomination to Expert/ Working Groups. These groups form Scientific Panels to formulate standards for the Food Authority. It is for this reason that the Authority is looking for members with independent scientific opinions and contributions, in their capacity as members of the Working Groups and not as representatives of any institution or scientific body.
The present standards for food have been adopted from the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act. However, since then many new food products have been introduced and there is a need to develop fresh vertical standards. Besides this, the old standards need to be brought up to date according to the latest scientific developments and international standards. Also FSSAI is of the opinion that that the 09 Scientific Panels that it has already constituted need to be expanded as the number of food categories are not covered within the scope of the already constituted standards; hence the Food Authority has decided to increase the number of scientific panels to a total of 12 Scientific Panels.
FSSAI is therefore looking for members for constituting the proposed additional Expert/Working Groups for the development of standards for new food products. The Expert/Working Groups will also be revisiting the existing standards, for different categories of food commodities, which are not covered under the scope of existing Scientific Panels. FSSAI is looking for experts in the following areas for which Working Groups are proposed to be constituted by the Authority.
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Caffeinated Drinks
- Cereals, pulses, legumes and their products including barley
- Food fortifications
- Fruits and vegetables and their products including dried fruit and nuts
- Meat and Meat Products including poultry and their products
- Milk and Milk products
- Non – alcoholic Beverages
- Oils and fats
- Salt, spices and condiments
- Sweets sweeteners, honey and confectionery
- WaterÂ
In its proposal FSSAI says that they plan to nominate a minimum of 05 experts in each Expert/ Working Group and the numbers could be increased if a need is felt for the same. FSSAI will be considering professionals /scientists/ subject experts for these Expert/ Working groups who have acquired experience and expertise in the specific domain. They could be Faculty, Staff or on the rolls or Universities and Academic and Research Institutes. FSSAI will also consider applications from retired individuals recognised for their outstanding knowledge and expertise in the given subject area.
FSSAI will not take into consideration any application form experts, who are employed by any industry, as this could lead to conflict of interest. However, such experts who are in the employment of private industries could be invited for a meeting or two for knowledge sharing only. They will not have any say in the decision making process.
Those scientists, professionals and subject experts, who have outstanding records or achievements to their credit, in the subject of food science and subjects that are relevant to the Working Groups, are invited to send in their expressions of interest for nomination as members of these Expert/ Working Groups. Already existing members are also eligible to apply for these Working Groups. The nomination will be for a period for one year and would be renewable further if a requirement is felt according to the exigencies of work. Interested persons are invited to submit their applications in the Performa provided by FSSAI on their website. The last date for submission of application is 10th March 2015.
Leave a Reply