Ashish Bahuguna takes over as FSSAI chief

Ashish Bahuguna, <g data-gr-id="21">former</g> agriculture secretary, has been appointed as the chairman of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The tenure of the chairman is for three years. Until now, Health Secretary Bhanu Pratap Sharma was temporarily <g data-gr-id="20">in-charge</g> of the post.

“I will assume office this week. It is a new and challenging role,” Bahuguna said.

Bahuguna, a 1978-batch Indian Administrative Service officer of Rajasthan cadre, retired in February this year. The position of chairman of food safety regulatory body was lying vacant since January this year when the tenure of K Chandramouli ended.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has lately been in the news after it banned Nestle’s instant noodles Maggi for being “unsafe and hazardous” for human consumption after it found excessive levels of lead and presence of taste enhancer monosodium glutamate (MSG). The new chief has his task cut out.