an unsavoury inter-ministerial squabble is obstructing the formulation of a unified food law for India. The sticking point is who gets to play the regulator. And the contenders are the Union ministry of health and family welfare (mohfw), and Union ministry of food processing industries (mofpi).

The health ministry argues that since the mofpi promotes the food processing industry, it should not be assigned the task of policing it. On the other hand the mofpi contends that the mohfw already has its plate full, saddled as it is with numerous health issues. Indications are that the standoff will not end in the near future.

That the measure brooks no delay is evident from the fact that at present about 14 different regulations