IFSA Website launched on 16th Oct 2017

FSSAI introduces Indian Food Sharing Alliance- Save Food Fight Hunger' Initiative on 'National Conclave on Nutrition Security Convergence and Partnership'

New Delhi, 16.10.2017: On the occasion of National Conclave on Nutrition Security Convergence and Partnership (16th, October) at FDA Bhavan, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India introduced its new initiative 'Indian Food Recovery Alliance (IFSA)' which is a coalition of food recovery partners in country to fight issue of hunger and also prevent food loss and food waste in India.

The food recovery partners showcased their existing models of food recovery and showcased an integrated web based platform that is being developed. This web based platform is released on a pilot level in which interested donors, individuals and volunteers can register to be a part of this initiative. After the pilot study, the main platform and mobile applications will be accessible for the registered people to donate food through online communication with food recovery agencies that will ensure proper distribution after reasonable due diligence. The donors will be able to track all the data, information and the status of the food they will donate through their personal logins. Also, volunteers from across cities will be able to register on this platform to be a part of this initiative. This platform will also provide guidance to citizens, food businesses and various food recovery agencies on prevention of food loss and food waste and safe recovery of surplus food.

In India, there are multiple food recovery agencies working in various cities on their own. No Food Waste, Feeding India, Indian Food Banking Network, Roti Bank, Annekshetra, Giveaway India, Robin Hood Army are few such names. Together, 12 such organisations feed on an average over a lakh people per day in more than 70 cities. Alliance of these food recovery models and implementation of a uniform operation plan will ensure pan India coverage.

During his keynote session, Shri Pawan Agarwal, CEO FSSAI highlighted that food waste and food loss is recognized as a global challenge also there is significant food loss and food waste in India. He addressed the need of an integrated approach of food recovery networks across India to combat food waste issues. He mentioned that "this initiative is an effort to recover surplus food that is lost and wasted at various stages in India every year. Through this initiative several food recovery agencies will be able to work uniformly towards one common goal of saving food and distributing it to the needy so that India is able to eradicate hunger problems. "In his address, he also mentioned about the draft regulation of surplus food recovery and food distributions are already formulated safe recovery of surplus food.

The Honourable State Minister of Health and Family welfare Shri A.K. Chaubey who was the chief guest of the day also appreciated the efforts of FSSAI and food recovery networks to join hands for this noble cause. He also mentioned that it is a social and moral responsibility of every individual to feed the needy and prevent food waste.

Through creating a network of networks from entities across sectors in India and leveraging the power of technology,FSSAI's aim is to create an ease of communication among all the stakeholders so that everybody can take a step closer towards reducing food wastage in a uniform direction.