
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), consumer body VOICE, National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI), Cargill India and other stakeholders organised a Safe Food Walkathon in the national capital. The Safe Food Walkathon in Delhi is part of a planned programme to sensitize the Indian population about safe food. Through the walkathon CII wish to spread awareness about safe and hygienic food. In the coming six months the country is likely to see other Safe Food Walkathons which have been planned across the country so that food safety awareness spreads nationwide.
Initiated by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) along with Consumer Organization VOICE and National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI) the Surakshit Khadya Abhiyan was launched in July 2015 by the Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Ram Vilas Paswan in New Delhi with the objective of building a safe food culture in the country. It works under the brand ‘Jago Grahak Jago’ and has already begun its campaign to create consumer awareness about their rights in demanding safe food. The Surakshit Khadya Abhiyan For more than 10 years CII has been advocating ‘Food Safety and Quality for All’ so that India can become a safe food destination. Surakshit Khadya Abhiyan is led by S. Dave as its Chairman with members from NASVI, VOICE, Cargill and other representatives from the industry.
The walkathon was flagged off by Satyendra Jain, Minister of Health, Industry and power, Government of NCT of Delhi. Jain pointed out that the consumers are becoming more aware and have heightened their demands “for safe and unadulterated food”. It falls upon the all stakeholders to ensure food safety and hygienic practices. He also emphasised the need to “focus on safety of street food which is enjoyed by all sections of society.”
Dr Alka Kaul, chairperson, CII Delhi state council, and director, Horizon Industrial Products Pvt. Ltd spoke about the need “provide high-quality, safe food every time, everywhere. She also pointed out that the food supply chain is interedependent and therefore food safety is the responsibility of all in the supply chain beginning with the farmers and the food industry and includes the Food Regulators as well as consumers.
Cargill India Pvt Ltd has also joined hands with CII as part of their corporate social responsibility initiative and therefore they wish to partner in this safe food movement along with Surakshit Khadya Abhiyan. Cargill aims to be a catalyst in improving food safety awareness in the country as well as drive the agenda of ‘safe food as everyone’s right.’ They see the walkathon as a visionary programme to sensitise “consumers, street food operators and industry on their roles, rights, importance of hygienic practices and systems for food safety risk mitigation.”
Along with the walkathon several parallel activities were conducted which saw participation by 2,300 people including senior citizens. Activities included ‘Nukkad Natak’ and experience sharing by street food vendors, a skit by Jago Grahak Jago team, painting competitions; I pledge wall and thematic performance on food safety by Funkaar artists.
“Surakshit Khadya Abhiyan” works under the umbrella of “Swachh Bharat Abiyan” launched by the Honb’le Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi. CII has initiated the mega Walkathons across the country with the aim to create countrywide awareness on the subject of “Food Safety and Quality for All” and trigger nationwide actions on safe and hygienic food for all. As part of the initiative the Walkathons also aim to trigger nationwide actions among all Food Business Operators including petty Food Business Operators, street food vendors and consumers. To see this vision become a reality Surakshit Khadya Abhiyan is also deliberating on holding programmes for the up-gradation of skills and knowledge on food safety with workshops, training programmes, short term professional courses with bodies of international repute and even award programmes.
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