In the contemporary world, food safety has emerged as a prevalent health concern. As such, it remains a focal point for several organisations globally, including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the World Health Organization (WHO). In India, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is dedicated to ensuring safe and quality food nationwide. World Food Safety Day (WFSD) celebrates the efforts and initiatives of these organisations annually on June 7.
Celebrating World Food Safety Day and State Food Safety Index
To commemorate WFSD, FSSAI organised a session on June 7, 2023, where they revealed the 5th State Food Safety Index (SFSI). WFSD is a global campaign launched by WHO and FAO, aiming to prevent, detect, and manage foodborne risks. The 2023 theme of this campaign was ‘Food standards save lives’.
The SFSI, first launched in 2018-19, measures the performance of states in India on various food safety parameters. The index considers five key parameters – Human Resources and Institutional Data, Compliance, Food Testing – Infrastructure and Surveillance, Training & Capacity Building, and Consumer Empowerment. This model provides an objective framework for evaluating food safety across all States/UTs. Kerala, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu were the top performers among larger states, while Goa, Manipur, and Sikkim led among smaller states.
Event Highlights: Initiatives for Enhancing Food Safety
During the event, winners of the Eat Right Challenge for Districts – Phase II were recognised for their commendable efforts in raising food safety awareness and improving the food environment. These districts were from Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra. In line with India’s 75th Independence anniversary and the International Year of Millets, FSSAI planned to organise Eat Right Millets Melas nationwide.
In addition, FSSAI announced its ambitious plan to train 25 lakh food business operators in the next three years to ensure they meet food quality standards. They also revealed plans to establish 100 Food Streets across the country that adhere to quality benchmarks for food safety, hygiene, and nutrition. The event saw the unveiling of the Rapid Food Testing Kit (RAFT) Portal as part of FSSAI’s digitisation efforts to streamline the operations of the RAFT Scheme.
Role of Manuals in Enhancing Food Safety Practices
The Union Health Minister released three manuals aimed at enhancing food safety practices. These included analysis methods for Fish & Fish Products, Cereal and Cereal Products (2nd edition), and Beverages: Tea, Coffee & Chicory.
The Importance of Food Safety
Food safety is a public health priority. WHO estimates that almost 1 in 10 people in the world fall ill after eating contaminated food, resulting in 420,000 deaths annually, significant numbers of which are children under the age of five. Foodborne diseases can lead to malnutrition, stunting, cancer, and chronic illnesses. Food safety plays an essential role in achieving several of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, such as reducing poverty and improving health.
Major Challenges in Ensuring Food Safety in India
India grapples with various challenges in ensuring food safety. These include inadequate infrastructure and resources, contamination and adulteration of food products, poor hygiene and sanitation practices, weak regulatory framework and enforcement, and rapid urbanisation and changing food habits.
Forward Path: Solutions for Enhancing Food Safety
Efforts to improve food safety in India should focus on strengthening food testing laboratories, empowering local communities, and ensuring transparency in food stock holdings. Additionally, technological advancements can help improve communication channels with farmers, storage houses, and ensure better regulation of food safety standards.
