S. No.

Compliance Requirement

Checklist

1.

Establishment of Scientific Panels

☐ Ensure that the Food Authority establishes Scientific Panels as required.

2.

Independent Experts

☐ Ensure that the Scientific Panels consist of independent scientific experts.

3.

Industry Representation

☐ Invite relevant food industry representatives to participate in the deliberations of the Scientific Panels, wherever relevant.

4.

Consumer Representation

☐ Invite relevant consumer representatives to participate in the deliberations of the Scientific Panels, wherever relevant.

5.

Food Additives etc. Panel

☐ Ensure availability of a Scientific Panel dealing with food additives, flavourings, processing aids and materials in contact with food.

6.

Pesticides & Antibiotics Panel

☐ Ensure availability of a Scientific Panel dealing with pesticide and antibiotic residues.

7.

GMO Panel

☐ Ensure availability of a Scientific Panel dealing with genetically modified organisms and foods.

8.

Functional Foods Panel

☐ Ensure availability of a Scientific Panel dealing with functional foods, nutraceuticals, dietetic products and similar products.

9.

Biological Hazards Panel

☐ Ensure availability of a Scientific Panel dealing with biological hazards.

10.

Contaminants Panel

☐ Ensure availability of a Scientific Panel dealing with contaminants in the food chain.

11.

Labelling Panel

☐ Ensure availability of a Scientific Panel dealing with food labelling.

12.

Sampling & Analysis Panel

☐ Ensure availability of a Scientific Panel dealing with methods of sampling and analysis.

13.

Additional Panels

☐ Assess whether additional Scientific Panels are required for specific food-safety/scientific issues.

14.

Reconstitution of Panels

☐ Periodically review the composition of Scientific Panels and reconstitute them where necessary.

15.

Addition/Omission of Members

☐ Where required, add new members or remove existing members from Scientific Panels.

16.

Change in Panel Name

☐ Where necessary, change the name of a Scientific Panel to reflect its revised scope or functions.

17.

Documentation

☐ Maintain appropriate records of constitution, composition, reconstitution and deliberations of Scientific Panels.