The Economic Times

Title : FMCG Cos Seek Speedy Nod at Lunch with Food Regulator
Author : RATNA BHUSHAN
Location :
NEW DELHI
Article Date : 08/14/2014

Concerned at the alleged slow pace of new product approval by food safety regulator Food Safety and
Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), a high-profile group of CEOs of leading food com panies,
including GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare MD Zubair Ahmed, Coca-Cola President Venkatesh
Kini, Kellogg MD Sangeeta Pendurkar, Cargill India MD Siraj Chaudhry , Mother Dairy MD S.
Nagarajan, Ferrero Group India head Luigi Oddone and McCain Foods MD Vikas Mittal, together met
FSSAI chairman K Chandramouli, along with the other top brass of the food regulator last week, in what
was strictly underwraps.
The unprecedented meet, which got together India's heads of leading foods firms, indicates the im
portance of product approval at a time when foods firms are barely returning to higher growth after two
years of slump.
Given the sensitivity of the matter, none of the company heads who met were willing to be quoted on
record. Confirming to ET that the CEOs had met him last week, Chandramouli said: We are
implementing the food safety standards on a huge scale for the first time in the country .
It is a big chal lenge, but ultimately , it is for the benefit of the consumer.
Many of the country heads were meeting Chandramouli for the first time, because the usual practices is
that it is the corporate affairs representatives of firms who meet FSSAI officials to iron out issues.
Chandramouli added: It was an exchange of ideas and information.. everyone of them had suggestions
and points of view. I had not met many of the CEOs earlier, so they came to meet me. Product approval
was one of the issues discussed.
One of the officials directly aware of the developments, said: While various aspects were discussed,
emphasis was on speed to market for innovations. The India heads also wanted to assure FSSAI that
they are aligned with the food regulator in addressing food safety and quality .
Another official also privy to developments, said: There's an urgent need for quick approvals at a time
when product innovation gives a huge competitive edge. A lot of investment goes in research and
development, which companies want to fast track, but are stuck at the regulator because clearances are
taking too long.
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