In news– Recently, the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare released FSSAI’s 3rd State Food Safety Index (SFSI) for 2020-21 to measure the performance of States across five parameters of food safety.
About State Food Safety Index (SFSI)-
- The index is based on performance of State/ UT on five significant parameters, namely;
- Human Resources and Institutional Data(with 20% weightage).
- Compliance(with 30% weightage).
- Food Testing-Infrastructure and Surveillance(with 20% weightage).
- Training & Capacity Building(with 10% weightage).
- Consumer Empowerment(with 20% weightage).
- The Index is a dynamic quantitative and qualitative benchmarking model that provides an objective framework for evaluating food safety across all States/UTs.
- Gujarat topped the ranking among the large states followed by Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
- Among the smaller states, Goa, Meghalaya and Manipur grabbed top three positions.
- Among UTs, Jammu and Kashmir, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and New Delhi secured top ranks.
- Criteria for ranking are Infrastructure and Surveillance, Training and Capacity Building, Consumer Empowerment.
- The first State Food Safety Index for the year 2018-19 was announced on the first-ever World Food Safety Day on 7th June, 2019.
Other initiatives-
- The Minister also launched various innovative initiatives by FSSAI including the Eat Right Research Awards and Grants to encourage and recognize high-quality research in the area of food safety and nutrition in India.
- A logo for Vegan Foods for easy identification and distinction from non-vegan foods for empowering consumers to make informed food choices.
24 food businesses signed a pledge on becoming “Plastic Waste Neutral” by collecting, processing and recycling of 100% post-consumer plastic waste from across the sources.
Source: PIB
