State Food Safety Index

03.11.2023

State Food Safety Index , Daily Current Affairs , RACE IAS : Best IAS Coaching in Lucknow 

Why in the news?

Recently, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) published the State Food Safety Index.

About the State Food Safety Index:

• The Index is an annual assessment released by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
• It was started in 2018-19 to create a competitive and positive change in the food safety ecosystem in the country. 
• The index will help in providing safe and nutritious food to our citizens.
• This index is based on the performance of the State/ UT on five significant parameters, namely,

○Human Resources and Institutional Data, Compliance, Food Testing, Infrastructure and Surveillance, Training and Capacity Building and Consumer Empowerment

○In the 2023 index, a new parameter called ‘Improvement in SFSI Rank’ was added

• The Index is a dynamic quantitative and qualitative benchmarking model that provides an objective framework for evaluating food safety across all States/UTs.
• The States/UTs are classified into 3 categories, namely large states, small states, and UTs, for evaluation and assessment.

Key findings of the report

• After adjusting for a new parameter included in the 2023 index, 15 out of 20 states recorded lower 2023 scores compared to 2019.
• The steepest fall in scores over five years was seen in Maharashtra, Bihar, Gujarat,
• The worst drop has been recorded in the ‘Food Testing Infrastructure’ parameter.
• States including Maharashtra, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh all recorded lower scores for this parameter.
• Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Jharkhand, meanwhile, recorded lower scores for the ‘Compliance’ parameter.
• The ‘Human Resources and Institutional Data’ parameter, was given the third highest weightage of 18 per cent in 2023 (20 per cent in previous years).
• The only parameter that recorded significant improvement was ‘Training and Capacity Building’, which was given the least weightage of 8 per cent in 2023 (10 per cent in previous years).

About World Food Safety Day

• It is observed every year on 7th June (facilitated by the WHO and FAO).
• It aims to raise awareness and encourage actions to prevent, detect, and manage foodborne risks.
•  It was 1st observed in 2019.
• The theme of the 2023 is “Food Standards Save Lives”

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)

• It is a statutory organisation that reports to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
•  The Food Safety and Standards Act (FSS) of 2006 is the primary legislation governing food safety and standards.
• FSSAI became operational in 2011 and has been in charge of regulating food safety in our country ever since.
•  On a state level, the FSSAI selects food safety officials.
•  The FSSAI is headquartered in New Delhi.
• In addition, the authority maintains six regional offices in Delhi, Guwahati, Mumbai, Kolkata, Cochin, and Chennai.

Objective: To establish a single reference point for all matters relating to food safety and standards, by moving from multi- level, multi- departmental control to a single line of command.

Functions Performed By FSSAI

• Creating Policies and Procedures - It establishes regulations and guidelines that must be followed by all food manufacturing enterprises in order to ensure cleanliness and food safety.
• Granting Licence - Before starting any food-related business, the proprietor must get a certificate and licence from the FSSAI.
• Food Standard Testing - The organisation itself tests the standard and quality of food made by all enterprises registered with FSSAI.
• Regular Audits - Food-producing and manufacturing enterprises are inspected to ensure that their standards are in conformity with the rules.
• Spreading Food Safety Awareness - It is the FSSAI's obligation to educate and teach individuals about the necessity of safe and sanitary food consumption.
• Maintain Records and Data - The FSSAI is also responsible for keeping accurate records and data on all registered organisations. Any breach of FSSAI guidelines may result in the licence being revoked.
• Keeping the Government Informed - Any threat to food safety must be reported to government authorities for further action. Assist them in developing food safety regulations.

Initiatives taken by FSSAI:

• Food Safety and Standards Regulations 2011(contains Licensing and Registration, Packaging and Labelling, and Advertising)
• Heart Attack Rewind (eliminating trans fat)
• FSSAI-CHIFSS (to promote collaborations between Industry, Scientific Community, and Academia for food safety);
• Eat Right India Movement
• Eat Right Awards

Source:Indian Express