A day after food regulator FSSAI said that yoga guru Ramdev-promoted Patanjali Noodles did not take necessary approvals, Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal declined to comment, stating that the matter was between Ramdev and the Health Ministry.

However, Badal, who had earlier slammed the Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for creating an “environment of fear”, said the Health Ministry and the regulator are working on regulations and hoped they ensure removal of “roadblocks and speed breakers”.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a PHD Chamber event, Badal said, “FSSAI doesn’t come under my Ministry. What FSSAI does, I can’t comment on it, but I think they are working towards ensuring that roadblocks and speed breakers are removed so that hygienic and safe food is available, and industry can carry on with innovations,” she said.

Mahesh Gupta, Senior Vice-President, PHD Chamber, demanded transparency in the food regulations so that regulatory teeth are not misappropriated on any pretext. 

Food parks Earlier, Badal had said that over the next 30 months, the Centre aims to make 42 mega food parks operational.

“The only way through which the sweat of farmers can be suitably rewarded is through execution of 42 mega food parks schemes being put in place in six States, as it would substantially curtail farm wastage and equip the end consumer with nutritional food,” the Minister said. 

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