The FSSAI released the results of the second State Food Safety Index on the occasion of World Food Safety Day on 7 June, 2020 during a webinar. Dignitaries from the Health Ministry, senior officials from the State Food Safety departments, professionals in food and nutrition, development agencies, food businesses and various partners joined this online celebration. Smt. Rita Teaotia, Chairperson, FSSAI inaugurated the session and the welcome address was delivered by Shri Arun Singhal, who has recently been appointed as the new CEO, FSSAI.
The State Food Safety Index ranks states on five parameters of food safety through a rigorous evaluation process every year. This year, among the larger states, Gujarat was the top-ranking state, followed by Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. Among the smaller states, Goa came first followed by Manipur and Meghalaya. Among UTs, Chandigarh, Delhi and Andaman Islands secured top ranks.
In alignment with this year’s theme, “Food Safety is everyone’s business”, the FSSAI dedicated the celebrations to all those in the supply chain, who have ensured the uninterrupted availability of safe food for everyone during the present COVID-19 pandemic.
In keeping with this occasion, the FSSAI also released an e-handbook for citizens titled “Eat Right During COVID-19” for citizens. Vetted by various health and nutrition experts, the e-handbook highlights safe food practices to follow diligently as well as tips on health and nutrition. It is available at https://fssai.gov.in/cms/coronavirus.php.
Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Hon’ble Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare in his keynote address emphasized “Food safety is a shared responsibility and the call to action he gave for safe food on World Food Safety Day is “Ensure it’s safe, Grow it safe, Keep it safe, Eat it safe and Team up for safety.”
Hon’ble Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey on the other hand stated that children are powerful agents of change and “teaching children and youth the importance of food safety will not only ensure good health for future generations but also transform our habits today.”
Smt. Preeti Sudan, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare congratulated FSSAI on its efforts to ensure food safety during these trying times. She also applauded the State Food Safety Index “as an excellent incentive to create a sense of competition among states to improve food safety”. She emphasised the need to ensure adequate precautions are taken in restaurants and food service and delivery establishments once the lockdown is lifted. She also said that food safety awareness should be spread through social media and other communication platforms.
The FSSAI also took several steps to facilitate the uninterrupted supply of safe food by the food industry during this pandemic. The Apex Food Regulator released a detailed guidance note ‘Food Hygiene and Safety Guidelines for Food Businesses during Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic’ This document specifies hygiene and sanitary requirements, responsibility of management and sector specific requirements to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the food supply chain along with a section on ‘management of food establishments on identification of COVID-19 positive cases.’
Source: FSSAI
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