State Food Safety Index

On the occasion of World Food Safety Day Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare has released the 4th State Food Safety Index (SFSI) for the year 2021-22.

Details –

• This year, among the larger states, Tamil Nadu was the top ranking state, followed by Gujarat and Maharashtra.
• Among the smaller states, Goa stood first followed by Manipur and Sikkim.
• Among UTs, Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi and Chandigarh secured first, second and third ranks.

About the ‘Food Safety Index’ –

• SFSI was started from 2018-19 with the aim of creating a competitive and positive change in the food safety ecosystem in the country.
• FSSAI has developed the State Food Safety Index (SFSI) to measure the performance of States on five parameters of food safety.
• The parameters include Human Resources and Institutional Arrangements, Compliance, Food Testing – Infrastructure and Surveillance, Training and Capacity Building and Consumer Empowerment.

About FSSAI –

• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is an autonomous body established under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• It was set up in 2008 for the proper monitoring of food hygiene and quality in India. It was functional from 2011 and ever since has been responsible for managing food safety in our country.
• The organisation has been set up as per the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, until which different acts and laws were being administered under the various ministries of Government.
• It is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the regulation and supervision of food safety.
• It is headed by a non-executive Chairperson, appointed by the Central Government, either holding or has held the position of not below the rank of Secretary to the Government of India.

About ‘World Food Safety Day’ –

• World Food Safety Day was observed on June 07, 2022. This year, the theme is ‘Safer Food, Better Health‘.
• The day was set aside by the United Nations in 2018 to raise awareness of food safety and to encourage adequate steps to prevent, detect and manage foodborne risks.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) jointly facilitate the observance of World Food Safety Day.
• According to the United Nations, around 600 million cases of food-borne illnesses are reported every year which makes unsafe food one of the most concerning threats for human health.
• Diseases arising from unhygienic food affect the most vulnerable people and marginalised sections of society, especially children, women and victims of conflicts. These illnesses are mostly caused by viruses, bacteria and parasites present in the contaminated food.