Home > Dynamic Food Landscape-A Need for Pragmatic Approaches

A dynamic food system requires collaboration between regulators, industry, scientists, and consumers. Pragmatism does not mean lowering standards—it means applying them intelligently, proportionately, and responsively. By embracing adaptive governance and evidence-based decision-making, the food sector can remain safe, innovative, resilient, and inclusive.

The global food system is undergoing a rapid transformation, driven by advancements in food technology, biotechnology, and rapidly changing consumer preferences. This dynamic environment presents a critical challenge as to how to leverage these innovations for global food security, sustainability, and health, while safeguarding consumer safety and foster fair trade. The session is aimed at deliberating on the complexities of this evolving landscape, emphasizing the need for agile and pragmatic regulatory approaches, both globally and specifically within India.

Rapidly changing consumer preferences, such as the demand for plant-based options, convenience, transparency in sourcing, and ethical practices, drive food businesses to adapt their products and strategies.

Regulatory Harmonisation and Flexibility:

Diverging national requirements—particularly in labelling, claims, and additives—create trade barriers and compliance burdens without necessarily improving consumer outcomes. Greater international alignment, mutual recognition, and acceptance of equivalent standards can enhance food safety while facilitating global trade. Flexibility in implementation, especially for transitional products and emerging technologies, is essential.

Consumer-Centric Communication:

Modern consumers seek transparency, but more information does not always mean better understanding. Pragmatism in food communication means focusing on clarity, relevance, and accuracy, avoiding information overload while ensuring informed choice. Digital labelling tools and voluntary disclosures can complement mandatory requirements without crowding physical labels.

Sustainability with Realistic Pathways:

Sustainability expectations—carbon reduction, packaging reform, ethical sourcing—must be integrated with economic and technical feasibility. Pragmatic strategies recognize incremental improvement, supply-chain realities, and regional disparities rather than enforcing uniform targets that may be unattainable or counterproductive.

Identification of Key Challenges:

A clear understanding of the primary regulatory, scientific, and societal challenges in integrating novel food technologies and addressing evolving consumer demands in India.

Formulation of Recommendations:

Development of actionable recommendations for establishing an agile, science-driven regulatory ecosystem in India. This includes advocating for a dedicated Food Technology Regulatory Sandbox for pilot programs, strengthening science-based risk assessment for EFTs through enhanced FSSAI expert panels, and fostering regulatory agility and responsiveness through iterative  policymaking and international collaboration.

Promotion of Transparency and Engagement:

Strategies for promoting transparency and public engagement through proactive communication and consumer education campaigns about new food technologies.

Incentivizing Responsible Innovation:

Ideas on how to incentivize responsible innovation by providing targeted R&D support, ensuring intellectual property protection, and integrating sustainability and health into regulatory  mandates.

For more information, please Chat with us Ask The Expert.