A study visit to India is helping inform Sri Lanka's efforts to strengthen food safety systems, enhance regulatory oversight and better protect consumers.
Food safety is a critical component of public health, helping to prevent foodborne diseases, protect consumers and build confidence in food systems. As Sri Lanka continues efforts to strengthen its food safety framework, learning from the experiences of other countries can provide valuable practical insights.
From 27 to 31 July 2026, a delegation from Ministry of Health in Sri Lanka visited the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in New Delhi as part of a technical exchange supported by the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO) and FSSAI.
The delegation included officials from the Directorate of Environment, Occupational Health and Food Safety, Food Control Administration Unit (FCAU) and Medical Research Institute (MRI). Over five days, participants engaged with Indian counterparts to better understand how food safety systems are governed, regulated and monitored across the country.
/countries/sri-lanka/group-of-participants-at-fssai-study-tour-in-india-in-july-2026.jpeg?sfvrsn=5c9540d1_5 "Group of participants at FSSAI study tour in India in July 2026")
The programme provided exposure to a range of approaches used by India to strengthen food safety, including risk-based inspections, surveillance systems, digital licensing and compliance platforms, laboratory networks and food labelling oversight. Participants also explored how different sectors work together to support food safety, from regulatory authorities and laboratories to customs and trade agencies.
Participants were familiarized with India's use of digital technologies to improve efficiency, transparency and evidence-informed decision-making. Discussions also examined mechanisms for monitoring food advertising and labelling requirements, including emerging challenges related to online food marketing.
/countries/sri-lanka/participants-engaging-in-discussions-at-fssai-study-tour-in-india-in-july-2026.jpg?sfvrsn=dcc01af4_3 "Participants engaging in discussions at FSSAI study tour in India in July 2026")
The exchange comes at an important time as Sri Lanka works to strengthen food safety governance and modernize regulatory approaches. Insights from the visit will help inform ongoing efforts to establish a Food Safety Bureau, strengthen food labelling oversight and advance priorities under the International Health Regulations (2005), Joint External Evaluation (JEE) and National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS).
Dr Rajesh Sambhajirao Pandav / WHO Representative to Sri Lanka noted:
Strengthening food safety requires strong systems, effective regulation and continuous learning. Opportunities for technical exchange such as this allow countries to learn from one another's experiences and identify practical approaches that can be adapted to national contexts.
As food systems continue to evolve, partnerships and knowledge exchange remain important tools for building stronger, more resilient food safety systems that protect health and support consumer confidence.