Webinar Series on Food Analysts Examination and FSSAI Act (2006) By Dr. Lalitha Gowda

FSSAI has announced the date of the next Food Analyst examination on September 22, 2018. This examination will be conducted online. Detailed information on age, essential educational qualification(s) and experience, examination fees, syllabus, examination schedule, etc. are available on the FSSAI website: www.fssai.gov.in

AOAC-India Section, being a technical partner of FSSAI, has taken this endeavor to facilitate effective preparation of the Indian analytical community in this important examination. A serious of online lectures will be delivered by Dr. Lalitha Gowda, Chief Scientist (retired), CSIR-CFTRI and Member-Scientific Committee, FSSAI as per the schedule mentioned below. These lectures are going to provide brief coverage of the entire syllabus of the examination. Each lecture will be delivered live, and the participants will get an opportunity to raise their queries and concerns online for immediate resolution.

Participation in these webinars is absolutely free. The participants, however, will be required to register to receive online access to these seminars through the following link:

We urge all the participants to consider taking membership of AOAC-India Section and AOAC INTERNATIONAL so that we can organize more of such programs in future.

Webinar 1: Food Analysts Examination (FAE): Tips on preparation

1. 1. This talk of 60 mins will cover what is the basis for FAE and why it is important.
   2. Overview and details of each of the syllabus covering individual sections of Paper -I and Paper-II in detail
   3. Tips on preparing and understanding the basics (grass root level) of analysis: concentrations (%, M, mM, etc) units of measurement for mass, volume, absorbance, transmittance, pH, numerical expression of results).
   4. Reading questions carefully

1. Some books and reference freely available

Webinar 2 : Food Safety and Standards Act (2006): Definitions and Provisions of Act

Reading and understanding the Act and rules is a herculean task. Very few analysts try to read the Act and rules as they find it cumbersome. Yet in paper 1, 40% weightage is for Food Laws and Standards in India which incudes FSS Act (2006) and the FSS Rules and Regulations (2011). Freshers taking Junior Analysts may not have even know about this. Therefore, in this lecture and preceding few details of the act will be discussed. Un this lecture we will starting with the important definitions and understanding these definitions and general provisions of the Act.

Webinar 3: Food Safety and Standards Act (2006): Rules and Regulations

The enforcement structure along with the rules and regulations for licensing and registration will be detailed. The role, duties and liabilities of the Designated Officer, Food Safety Officer and basic principles of Official sample collection, sampling and dispatch etc will be highlighted.

Webinar 4 : Food Safety and Standards Act (2006): Food Product Standards and Food additives

In this lecture Food Products Standards and Food Additives Regulations, 2011 will be discussed in detail. The food categories in the act, the Indian Food Code and regulations of food additives will be presented. Also covered will be the regulations for Contaminants, Toxins and Residues and restriction of sales.

Webinar 5 : Food Safety and Standards Act (2006): Packaging and labelling

This lecture will be for a longer duration as it will cover the purpose of labelling, all the rules and regulations on what is expected on a label. Understanding the difference between, best before, use by and expiry date. Label claims: what claims can be made? What is a health claim, nutrition claim and nutrient led claims? When a health claim can be used. Which claims are allowed and not allowed? At the end of the class you would as a food analyst have learnt how to read a packaged food label for regulatory compliance.

Webinar 6 : Food Safety and Standards Act (2006): Laboratory Sampling and Analysis

You will learn about your role as a Food Analyst under FSSA(I). How to receive samples, documentation analyses and reporting results. Also, we will consider the opinion writing whether, safe, unsafe, misbranded or mislabeled with some examples. The role of Referral labs, FSSA notified laboratories.

Webinar 7 : Terminology in Analytical Measurements

The correct use of terms and other expressions is essential for a professional approach to analytical measurement the heart of food analysis. The lecture will make you understand what these terms mean in a laboratory environment and how you can strengthen confidence in the quality of measurement results.

Webinar 8 : Setting up a food analysis laboratory for regulatory testing

A food analytical laboratory is a critical and integral part of the supply of safe and quality food. It is the silent ‘expert system’ ensuring that the customer gets the safe and quality food he or she is expecting. In this lecture you will understand the requirements for setting up a laboratory ensuring accountability, security, integrity and chain of custody of the sample for the legal defensibility of analytical data produced. The lecture will cover design, environment, personnel and safety guidelines

Webinar 9 : International Food Laws

International Food Control Systems/ Laws, Regulations and Standards/ Guidelines with regard to Food Safety: CODEX (SPS/TBT), OIE, IPPC will be discussed.

Schedule of Webinar Series