Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya releases fifth State Food Safety Index in New Delhi

• Recently, the union Health Minister released the fifth State Food Safety Index in New Delhi.

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 and serves as a tool to propel States and Union Territories to enhance their performance and establish robust food safety ecosystems within their jurisdictions

Significant parameters

• Human Resources and Institutional Data,
• Compliance,
• Food Testing – Infrastructure and Surveillance,
• Training & Capacity Building
• Consumer Empowerment.
• The Index is a dynamic quantitative and qualitative benchmarking model that provides an objective framework for evaluating food safety across all States/UTs.

Ranking of the States and Union Territories in the 2022-23 Report

• Among the large state category: Kerala is the top-ranking state followed by Punjab and Tamil Nadu.
• Among the small states category: Goa is the top-ranking state followed by Manipur, and Sikkim in the Small States category.
• Among the Union Territories category: Jammu and Kashmir, Chandigarh, and Delhi

Prelims Take Away

• Food Safety Index
• Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)