The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a public notice inviting comments from Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and suppliers on the technical specifications for several high-end laboratory instruments. This initiative is part of a process to finalize the procurement standards for equipment critical for food sample analysis and safety. The deadline for submitting comments is August 25, 2025.
FSSAI is finalizing the technical specifications for the following equipment:
- GC-MS/MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry/Mass Spectrometry)
- LC-MS/MS (Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry/Mass Spectrometry)
- ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry)
- ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry)
The notice emphasizes that these high-end instruments are essential for detecting contaminants in food, water, and agricultural products.
Submission Process and Key Requirements
OEMs and their suppliers are requested to provide their comments and justifications on the respective technical specifications. The FSSAI has provided detailed specification documents for each instrument in the form of Google Sheets, accessible via links in the notice.
Submissions must be made in an editable soft copy format and sent via email to abhinay.shashank@fssai.gov.in, with copies to advisor.qa@fssai.gov.in and balasubramanian.74@fssai.gov.in. Prior to submitting comments, OEMs and suppliers must fill out a Google Form to provide their details.
Important Caveats
The FSSAI has clarified two important points regarding the comment submission process:
- If both an OEM and their supplier submit comments for the same equipment, only the comments from the OEM will be considered.
- The submission of comments does not guarantee their incorporation into the final technical specifications, as the FSSAI is not bound to accept all suggestions.
This initiative aims to ensure that the technical specifications for these critical laboratory instruments are robust and aligned with the latest technological advancements, thereby strengthening food safety and compliance in India.