Expression of Interest for Membership of the Rapid Analytical Food Testing Committee

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Expression of Interest (EOI) for Membership

of the Rapid Analytical Food Testing (RAFT) Committee

Last Date for Submission: 8^th January 2026

Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
FDA Bhawan, Kotla Road, New Delhi 110002

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Preface

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is pleased to invite Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from qualified individuals for membership of the Rapid Analytical Food Testing (RAFT) Committee.

The RAFT Committee is being constituted to provide technical expertise, guidance, and recommendations for the adoption of rapid, reliable, and cost-effective analytical methods for food testing in India.

Interested experts, researchers, laboratory professionals from Govt Institutions/organizations working in the field of food testing and safety are invited to apply in the prescribed format (Annexure I).

The EOI should be submitted along with all supporting documents as specified in this document. Incomplete or late submissions are liable to be rejected.

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1. Background

The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSS Act) is the primary legislation in India regulating food products and food safety.

“An Act to consolidate the laws relating to food and to establish the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India for laying down science based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import, to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.”

Ensuring food safety requires robust, efficient, and reliable testing systems. With increasing demand for faster and cost-effective food testing, the adoption of Rapid Analytical Food Testing (RAFT) methods has become crucial.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) recognizes the importance of establishing a dedicated system to:

• Review and validate rapid food testing methods
• Provide technical advice on their adoption
• Align national food testing practices with global standards
• Support regulatory decision-making

2. Rapid Analytical Food Testing (RAFT): An Overview

Modern food safety systems emphasize quality assurance and safety from farm to fork. Traditional analytical methods like HPLC, GC, LC-MS/MS, and ELISA ensure food quality but are costly, time-consuming, and unsuitable for on-site use. Hence, there is a growing need for affordable, rapid, and reliable analytical devices or kits for effective food safety monitoring, especially in remote areas.

The Rapid Analytical Food Testing (RAFT) finds its origin in the Food Safety and Standards (Laboratory and Sample Analysis) Regulations, 2011, which includes the provision of approval of Rapid Analytical Food Testing Kit, Equipment or Method, as follows:

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“2.4 Approval of Rapid Analytical Food testing Kit, Equipment or Method

2.4.1 Food Authority may approve Rapid Analytical Food testing Kit, Equipment or Methods for testing of Food.

2.4.2 The procedure for approval of Rapid Analytical Food testing Kit, Equipment or Methods shall be as per the guidelines that may be framed by the Food Authority from time to time.”

Pursuance to clause 2.4 of FSS (Laboratory and Sample Analysis) Regulations, 2011, FSSAI gives approval for Rapid Analytical Food testing Kit, Equipment or Methods under the RAFT scheme to promote the use of advanced technologies for food testing. The purpose of the approval by FSSAI to Rapid Analytical Food Testing (RAFT) Kit/Equipment/Method is to facilitate carrying out on the spot field testing by Food Safety Officers (FSOs) or Mobile Testing Labs or to improve speed and reduce testing costs in food laboratories for screening and surveillance.

The rapid food testing kit/equipment/method ensure “faster, better, cheaper” real-time testing of food. The rapid food testing kit/equipment/ method are better in terms of their size, faster in terms of their total run time and cheaper in terms of cost effectiveness as compared to conventional methods. The approved Rapid kit/equipment/method meets the requirements of the Food Safety and Standard Regulations and are validated against International Standards. The rapid food testing kit/equipment are approved by FSSAI for screening and surveillance purposes only.

3. Objectives of the RAFT Committee

The RAFT committee is a recommendatory body, whose recommendations are approved by the Competent Authority before adoption/implementation. The objectives of the committee are:

1. Review and recommend suitable RAFT applications for food analysis.
2. Examine validation data for new and emerging analytical methods.
3. Develop guidelines for harmonization and standardization of RAFT techniques.
4. Support regulatory frameworks by providing technical advice.
5. Promote capacity building through training and awareness programs.
6. Encourage innovation and research in food testing technologies.

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4. Guidelines for Membership

1. The RAFT Committee is valid for a period of 03 years from the date of notification of its constitution. Under exceptional circumstances, the validity of the committee may be extended or curtailed by the Food Authority based on reasons recorded in writing. Once appointed, the term of a member will be co-terminus with that of the committee.
2. Members are expected to actively contribute to committee meetings, working groups and review tasks as required from time to time.
3. Members are expected to play significant role in finalization of opinion/input/recommendation.
4. Members shall avoid conflict of interest and maintain confidentiality of committee deliberations.
5. Members may be removed or replaced by the Food Authority for not contributing effectively or for their regular absence in three consecutive meetings, or for actions in conflict with the Food Authority’s interests or terms and conditions.
6. The RAFT Committee has 09 members, which may be increased/decreased by the Food Authority based on the requirement.

5. Eligibility Criteria

1. Experts/Scientists/Professionals from Govt. Institutions/Laboratories/Organizations with outstanding records /achievements to their credit in the field of rapid analytical food testing kits/equipment/methods.

   a) Expertise in the field of food safety, with a strong background in analytical methods used for food testing.

   b) Practical experience in designing and implementing validation protocols for rapid test kits, ensuring reliability and accuracy.

   c) Academic qualifications such as advanced degrees (Masters or Ph.D.) in relevant fields such as biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, Analytical, Biosensor, or a related discipline etc.

   d) Understanding of relevant regulatory requirements for the approval and use of rapid food testing kits, especially those set by FSSAI.

   e) A track record of research and publications in the field of food safety and analytical testing and experience in technology or patents in the development and commercialization of rapid technologies in food for practical insights and challenges.

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f) Familiarity with quality control and assurance procedures in the development and production of rapid food test kits.

g) Willingness and availability to actively participate in committee meetings, reviews, and related activities.

h) Knowledge of the broader goals and objectives of FSSAI and how the RAFT committee contributes to achieving them in the context of rapid food test kit approvals.

2. The selected members shall not be more than 70 years of age.

6. Application Requirements

Applicants must submit the following:

1. EOI Application Form (Annexure I).
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
3. Supporting Documents (Annexure II – Checklist).
4. Statement of purpose outlining expected contribution to the RAFT Committee.

7. Selection Process

• All applications will be screened against eligibility criteria.
• Selection will be made by the Authority considering relevant experience and expertise.
• Final decision of the Authority shall be binding.
• Selected applicants will be notified formally and empaneled as members of the RAFT Committee.