Gangtok, March 3: The 49th meeting of the Central Advisory Committee (CAC) of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India was convened in Gangtok on March 2, marking the first occasion that Sikkim hosted the high-level national forum.
Speaking to the media after the session, Sikkim Health Secretary Tshewang Gyachho described it as an honour for the State to organise the prestigious gathering. He said the principal aim of holding the 49th CAC meeting was to reinforce the shared commitment of the country’s apex food regulator and State and Union Territory authorities towards building a more robust, enforcement-driven and consumer-focused food safety framework.
According to Gyachho, deliberations centred on ensuring access to safe and wholesome food for people across India. The meeting brought together Commissioners of Food Safety and senior officials from different States and Union Territories, who examined ways to strengthen implementation at the ground level, particularly in high-risk food segments.
Participants also discussed measures to raise compliance benchmarks, bolster surveillance mechanisms and improve coordination among regulatory agencies to secure more effective enforcement of food safety legislation.
Gyachho underlined that hosting the meeting signified Sikkim’s dedication to upholding the highest standards of food safety and public health. He added that the sharing of insights and best practices during the deliberations would help empower States and Union Territories to enhance food safety systems across the country.
