On January 31, 2018, IOFI Executive Director Sven Ballschmiede, Regulatory and Advocacy Director Dr. Thierry Cachet and Senior Regulatory Affairs Manager Jing Yi met with representatives from two key industry associations: the Confederation of Indian Industry and the Confederation of Indian Food Trade and Industry of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry. The two meetings created an opportunity for a wide-ranging information exchange with key stakeholders interested in food and ingredient safety.
Subsequent meetings with the local flavor association FAFAI and IOFI India Task Force members followed on February 1 and 2 and helped to shape the discussion of further needs along with ideas for sharing best practices in the area of the safe use of flavorings.
The week culminated with a meeting on February 2 with the Indian food regulatory authority FSSAI's Scientific Panel on food additives, flavorings, processing aids and materials in contact with food.