TN tops State Food Safety List

TN tops State Food Safety List

Subject: Governance

Section: Health

Context: Tamil Nadu topped the list among larger states, followed by Gujarat and Maharashtra, in the State Food Safety Index awards announced by Union Health Minister on the occasion of World Food Safety Day.

Concept:

• This was the fourth State Food Safety Index award, which was started in 2018-19 with the aim of creating a competitive and positive change in India’s food safety ecosystem.
• Tamil Nadu topped the list among larger states, followed by Gujarat and Maharashtra.
• Among smaller states, Goa was the winner, followed by Manipur and Sikkim, while Jammu and Kashmir emerged top among Union Territories, followed by Delhi and Chandigarh.

Other Govt Initiatives to ensure Health Security:

1. National health mission- health and wellness centres and strengthening of district hospitals.
2. Eat Right India initiatives- motivate smart cities to develop and execute a plan that supports a healthy, safe, and sustainable food environment.
3. Ayurveda Aahar logo – contains the initials of Ayurveda and Ahara, the first in Devanagari and the second in English, with five leaves symbolising five elements of nature. This helps in easy identification of ayurvedic foods.
4. Guidance document on Food Borne Disease Outbreak Investigation and Microbiological Process Control, and Sampling and Testing of Fish and Fishery Products.