Ahmedabad: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), through its Food & Agriculture Centre of Excellence (CII-FACE), joined hands with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the Food and Drugs Control Administration (FDCA), Government of Gujarat, to organise the 23rd State Connect Session in Ahmedabad. The programme focused on strengthening India’s food safety ecosystem through science-based regulations and efficient trade systems.
The event brought together policymakers, regulators, customs officials, food businesses, laboratories, importers, MSMEs and industry leaders. Participants discussed ways to improve food safety, simplify compliance and strengthen India’s position in global food trade.
Focus on Science-Based Food Regulation
FSSAI Chief Executive Officer Rajit Punhani said modern food control systems now support public health, consumer confidence, innovation and international trade. He stressed the importance of risk-based regulation, digital systems and stronger traceability across the food sector.
Ahmedabad Customs Commissioner Manish Kulhary highlighted India’s growing role in global food exports. He said initiatives such as SWIFT 2.0 and the integration of the Food Import Clearance System (FICS) with Customs are making food imports faster and more transparent.
Gujarat Highlights Regulatory Reforms
Joint Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, Gujarat, J. P. Patel, spoke about recent reforms that simplify compliance for food businesses. He highlighted perpetual licensing, FoSCoS-enabled compliance and Gujarat’s label compliance application.
Piruz Khambatta, Chairman of the CII National Committee on Taxation and Chairman & Managing Director of Rasna International, said strong food safety systems are essential for consumer trust and export growth. He called for continued collaboration between regulators and industry.
Industry and Regulators Discuss Trade Efficiency
A CEO panel explored ways to improve food control systems through closer cooperation between regulators, customs authorities and food companies. Speakers recommended wider adoption of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), risk-based regulation and international food safety standards.
Another session examined the future of health supplements and nutraceuticals. Experts discussed science-driven regulations, technology-enabled compliance and stronger coordination among regulators, industry and research institutions.
Technology to Strengthen Food Imports
The programme also focused on improving food import systems. Experts discussed digital platforms such as SWIFT 2.0, better traceability and coordinated regulatory processes to build a faster and more resilient import ecosystem.
The 23rd State Connect Session reinforced the commitment of CII, FSSAI and FDA Gujarat to strengthen India’s food safety framework while supporting trade, innovation and sustainable industry growth.
