“Important to set standards and ensure they are tested and being met”: Punjab Food Safety Commissioner

Chandigarh, 01 September 2023: Dr. Abhinav Trikha, IAS, Commissioner of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, Punjab today said it is important to set standards and ensure they are tested and are being met. He was speaking at a conclave – ‘Basmati Rice No Compromise’ at Hotel Taj here today.

KRBL Limited's India Gate Basmati Rice, the World's No.1 Basmati Rice brand together with the Eat Right India initiative under the aegis of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) hosted the Chandigarh leg of the nationwide ‘Basmati Rice No Compromise’ public interest education and awareness initiative in the city today.

Even as the regulations came into effect on 1st of August 2023, India Gate Basmati Rice has taken the lead through this initiative in promoting healthier eating habits, encouraging balanced nutrition, and enhance food safety awareness among consumers across India whilst raising widespread awareness of the recently released FSSAI regulations on identity standards for Basmati Rice. An initiative in public interest by KRBL, the ‘Basmati Rice No Compromise’ Conclave kicked off in Chandigarh in the presence of Dr. Abhinav Trikha, IAS, Commissioner of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, Punjab.

Dr. Abhinav Trikha, IAS, Commissioner of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, Punjab said he was happy to see the initiative being taken up to create awareness through such conclaves, adding, development brings issues of people not maintaining standards. “It is important that standards are set and are ensured they are tested and being met to combat such issues. Our country is late as far as food safety is concerned, but a lot has been done. Now the focus has changed and adulteration is being tackled effectively. Its time to differentiate the standard and sub-standard material.” He added, India is known for high quality basmati rice and through such conclaves, gaps are duly addressed.

Mr. Ayush Gupta, Business Head, India Market, KRBL Limited and a Basmati Rice industry leader, said, “We laud the FSSAI for their visionary approach in establishing identity standards for Basmati Rice. These regulations will undoubtedly bolster consumer confidence in the authenticity and safety of our cherished Basmati rice, both within India and in the global arena. As the World’s No. 1 Basmati Rice Brand, India Gate has always been committed to maintaining the integrity of the Basmati grain through compliance, and these regulations align perfectly with our mission to deliver the finest Basmati rice to consumers worldwide.

The Conclave at Chandigarh brought together subject matter experts along with industry stakeholders including Gurvinder Singh, Director, Department of Agriculture, Government of Punjab, Anand Sagar Sharma, Joint Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Government of Punjab, Harjot Pal Singh, Joint Commissioner, Food Safety, Food and Drug Administration, Punjab, Dr Jai Prakash Kant, Senior Lecturer/Senior Instructor, Chandigarh Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology, Sukhvinder Singh, Designated Officer, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, Chandigarh, Dr Ranbir Singh Gill, Principal Rice Breeder, Punjab Agriculture University, Dr Kamaljeet Singh Suri, Principal Entomologist, Punjab Agriculture University and Chef Vikas Chawla, CEO, Core Hospitality Solutions . 

Sukhvinder Singh, Designated Officer, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, Chandigarh,