Rapid Analytical Food Testing (RAFT) Kit/ Equipment/ Method

In its 27th meeting held on 04.02.2019, the Food Authority had approved the notification of Draft amendment to FSS (Laboratory and sample analysis) Regulation, 2011 and the proposal for operationalization of the said amendment. Following clause was inserted in the ibid regulations

2.4      Approval of Rapid Analytical Food testing Kit, Equipment or Method

2.4.1     Food Authority may approve Rapid Analytical Food testing Kit, Equipment or Methods for the purpose of testing of Food.

2.4.2   The procedure for approval of Rapid Analytical Food testing Kit, Equipment or Methods shall be as per the guidelines that may be framed by the Food Authority from time to time.

Thereafter, a direction was issued under section 16(5) vide letter no. 01/Lab & sample Analysis/Reg/2019 dated 05.07.2019 regarding operationalization of the aforesaid Regulations.

FSSAI framed a procedure for approval of Rapid Analytical Food Testing (RAFT) Kit/Equipment/Method for the purpose of testing of food articles. The guidelines mentioning the procedure for approval of rapid kit/equipment/method are in place.

FSSAI has constituted a committee for scrutinization of Rapid Analytical Food Testing (RAFT) Kit/ Equipment/ Method Applications received by FSSAI under its RAFT Scheme. The recommendations of RAFT committee shall be ratified by the Scientific Panel on Methods of Sampling and Analysis and approved by the Competent Authority before adoption/implementation. The recommended rapid kit/equipment/method meets the requirements of the Food Safety and Standard Regulations and are validated against International Standards.

The purpose of the approval by FSSAI to Rapid Analytical Food Testing (RAFT) Kit/Equipment/Method is to facilitate carrying out on the spot field testing by Food Safety Officers (FSOs) or Mobile Testing Labs or to improve speed and reduce testing costs in food laboratories. The rapid food testing kit/equipment/method ensure “faster, better, cheaper” real-time testing of food. The rapid food testing kit/equipment/ method are better in terms of their size, faster in terms of their total run time and cheaper in terms of cost effectiveness as compared to conventional methods. The rapid food testing kit/equipment approved by FSSAI is to be used for screening and surveillance purposes only.

• Apply Online for RAFT approval 

RAFT HANDBOOK

• Handbook on Rapid Analytical Food Testing. (Uploaded on: 10.11.2022)  size:( 1.19 MB)

CURRENT || ADVISORIES / ORDERS / NOTICE / STATUS

• Notice dated 2nd December, 2024 regarding Authorization Letter to be submitted with RAFT Application (Uploaed on 02.12.2024)  size:( 0.45 MB)
• Updated Status of Finally Approved RAFT Applications as on 21st February, 2024  (Uploaded on: 21.02.2024)  size:( 0.96 MB)
• RAFT Portal- "Notice dated 31st October, 2023 regarding approval of RAFT kits/equipment/methods through RAFT Portal"  size:( 0.3 MB)
• RAFT Logo- "Order dated 31st October, 2023 regarding Use of RAFT Logo"  size:( 0.6 MB)
• Order dated 16th October, 2023 regarding Committee for scrutinization of Rapid Analytical Food Testing (RAFT) Kits/Equipment/Methods Applications. (Uploaded on: 16.10.2023)  size:( 0.36 MB)
• Updated Status of Finally Approved RAFT Applications as on 4th September, 2023.  size:( 1.65 MB)
• Gazette Notification on RAFT  size:( 1.24 MB)
• Order dated 9th May, 2022 related to Enabling provision of using Rapid Food Testing Kits/Equipment/Methods for the purpose of food testing  size:( 0.26 MB)

ARCHIVE

• Order dated 29th March, 2023 regarding Committee for scrutinization of Rapid Analytical Food Testing (RAFT) Kits/Equipment/Methods Applications. (Uploaded on: 31.03.2023)  size:( 0.57 MB)
• Updated Status of Finally Approved RAFT Applications as on dated 18th May, 2023.  size:( 1.55 MB)
• Notice dated 9th January, 2023 related to Approval of Rapid Analytical Food  size:( 1.04 MB)
• Updated Status of Finally Approved RAFT Applications as on dated 22nd November 2022. (Uploaded on: 22.11.2022)  size:( 4.62 MB)
• Order dated 31st March 2021 regarding using FSSAI Logo on rapid kits approved by FSSAI. (Uploaded on: 31.03.2021)  size:( 0.33 MB)
• Corrigendum dated 16th March 2021 related to committee for scrutinization of Rapid Analytical Food Testing (RAFT) Kit / Equipment / Method Application. (Uploaded on: 16.03.2021)  size:( 0.22 MB)
• Updated Status of Finally Approved RAFT Applications as on dated 12th November 2021. (Uploaded on: 24.11.2021)  size:( 4.43 MB)
• Notice dated 12th January 2021 related to Approval of Rapid Analytical Food Testing (RAFT) Kit/Equipment/Method along with Application Form. (Uploaded on: 14.01.2021)  size:( 1.18 MB)
• Updated Status of Provisionally Approved RAFT Applications as on dated 17th June 2021. (Uploaded on: 17.06.2021)  size:( 0.1 MB)
• Updated Status of Finally Approved RAFT Applications as on dated 07th April 2021. (Uploaded on: 07.04.2021)  size:( 5.21 MB)
• Office Order dated 15th June 2020 related to committee for scrutinization of Rapid Analytical Food Testing (RAFT) Kit / Equipment / Method Application. (Uploaded on: 16.03.2021)  size:( 0.49 MB)
• Direction under Section 16 (5) of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 dated 05th July 2019 regarding operationalization of Food Safety and Standards (Laboratory and Sample Analysis) Amendment Regulations, 2019  size:( 0.37 MB)
• Press Release dated 31st December 2019 related to Rapid Food Testing Devices and Kits set to redefine Food Safety in 2020  size:( 1.01 MB)
• Status of RAFT Applications as on dated 12th January 2021. (Uploaded on: 12.01.2021)  size:( 3.88 MB)
• Status on RAFT as on 08th January 2020  size:( 0.96 MB)
• Notice dated 18th September 2019 related to Approval of Rapid Analytical Food Testing (RAFT) Kit / Equipment / Method by FSSAI  size:( 1.76 MB)
• Notice dated 20th March 2019 related to Approval of Rapid Analytical Food Testing (RAFT) Kit / Equipment / Method by FSSAI  size:( 0.79 MB)
• Draft Gazette Notification on RAFT  size:( 0.35 MB)