23rd September 2024 (9 Topics)

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Food Safety in India

Context

The recent controversy surrounding adulterated ghee in Tirupati's laddus has shone a spotlight on a broader issue: the oversight of food safety in India.

Food safety framework in India

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), established in 2006, is the central body responsible for ensuring food safety and regulating the food industry.
The FSSAI sets science-based standards for food production, storage, distribution, and sale.
It also licenses food businesses and conducts inspections to ensure compliance.
Key Regulations and Standards
- Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006: This act consolidates various laws related to food safety standardsand establishes the FSSAI. It provides a single reference point for all matters related to food safety and standards, thereby ensuring a more streamlined regulatory approach.
  - The Act covers all food businesses
- Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011: These regulations mandate that all food businesses, from small vendors to large manufacturers, obtain a license or register with the FSSAI. This helps in maintaining a database of food business operators and ensures that they comply with food safety standards.

Challenges of Food Safety in India

Low Awareness: Many people, especially outside urban areas, are unaware of food hygiene practices. Safe food is often seen as a luxury rather than a necessity.
Limited Infrastructure: Food manufacturing and processing facilities often lack resources for maintaining proper hygiene.
Food Adulteration: There has been a significant increase in food adulteration cases, rising from 15% in 2012 to 28% in 2019. Many manufacturers evade mandatory product registration, complicating detection.
Poor Traceability: Companies struggle to trace ingredients, particularly raw agricultural products.
Price Sensitivity: Many food manufacturers focus on keeping costs low to remain affordable.

Food Safety in India

World Food Safety Day is celebrated annually on June 7 to raise awareness about food safety and encourage actions to prevent foodborne illnesses.
Safe and Nutritious Food (SNF) initiative takes a citizen centric approach to transformative social and behavioural change.
Eat Right India is nationwide initiative promoting safe and healthy eating habits among consumers.
Eat Right Station is designed to ensure that railway stations provide safe and nutritious food options for travelers.
Eat Right Mela is a public event that showcases safe and healthy food choices, often featuring workshops and demonstrations.
State Food Safety Index (SFSI) serves as a benchmarking framework, both quantitative and qualitative, to assess the performance of States and Union Territories across various food safety parameters.
Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Jammu & Kashmir have emerged as the top three performers in the State Food Safety Index (SFSI) 2024.
RUCO (Repurpose Used Cooking Oil) is an initiative to promote the safe disposal and repurposing of used cooking oil, reducing health risks and environmental impact.
Food Safety Mitra is a program to support food businesses by providing guidance on food safety regulations and best practices.
100 Food Streets is an initiative to promote hygiene and safety in street food vending, enhancing the quality of food sold in popular areas.

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