Indian wheat body urges FSSAI to issue crop-specific risk-based sampling and testing guidelines
WPPS has urged FSSAI to introduce wheat-specific, risk-based sampling and testing guidelines, clarify pesticide MRLs, strengthen aflatoxin surveillance and establish due-diligence standards. It also proposed a joint technical group and national wheat surveillance pilot to ensure evidence-based food safety regulations.
The Wheat Products Promotion Society (WPPS) has urged the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to issue a wheat-specific, risk-based sampling and testing guidelines, besides publishing an operational due-diligence check list for grain processors.
In a letter to FSSAI chairperson Punya Salila Srivastava and CEO Rajit Punhani, WPPS Chairman Ajay Goyal said health-based food-safety standards should remain fully protective.
“The reform requested is in the control and enforcement architecture: representative sampling, risk-based frequency, clear MRL (maximum residue limit) status, shared upstream information, statutory confirmatory/referral testing and a practical documented due diligence framework for an inherently aggregated agricultural supply chain,” he said.
Joint working group
He sought the setting up of a joint technical working group comprising FSSAI (Science & Standards, Regulatory Compliance and Quality Assurance), Department of Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, FSSAI-notified accredited laboratories, grain scientists and WPPS.
Urging that a wheat-specific, risk-based sampling and testing guideline be issued, he said defining commercial lot, incremental and aggregate or composite sampling, sample retention, risk tiers, testing frequency and escalation triggers for wheat and wheat flour should be done.
He said operational due-diligence checklist should be published in alignment with Section 80 for grain processors, covering approved suppliers, traceability, storage and moisture control, fumigation and pest control records.
“Publish and maintain one consolidated commodity-pesticide MRL map for wheat and wheat flour, with the applicable legal notification, MRL, pesticide registration status, and specifically clarify the current enforceable Chlorpyrifos MRL for wheat and wheat flour,” he said.
Goyal called for the development of a standardised “Wheat Safety Data Passport” or minimum data set for organised suppliers, warehouses, mandis, farmer producer organisations and public agencies.
Risk-based aflatoxin surveillance
Urging the adoption of a risk-based aflatoxin surveillance framework for wheat, he sought intensified testing where prior history indicated higher risk.
The WPPS chairman said a scientific review of infestation terminology and measurable categories in wheat flour should be undertaken.
He suggested a two-season national wheat surveillance pilot project covering major producing regions, storage systems and supply channels before considering any numerical revision of pesticide or mycotoxin limits.
He also said a WPPS Wheat Safety Due-Diligence Code of Practice aligned with Codex, FSSAI food-safety management requirements and Section 80 could be considered. .
Goyal extend full support to FSSAI initiatives and offered to support a national surveillance pilot so that any future regulatory refinement is based on Indian evidence and measured risk.
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Source : The Hindu Businessline
