Food safety index

Context

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)’s 4th State Food Safety Index (SFSI) has been released on World Food Day.

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.

State Ranking: Tamil Nadu topped the State Food Safety Index this year, followed by Gujarat and Maharashtra this year.
Smaller state ranking: Among the smaller States, Goa stood first, followed by Manipur and Sikkim.
Union Territories Ranking: Among the Union Territories, Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi and Chandigarh secured first, second and third ranks.
The State Food Safety Index (SFSI) measures the performance of States on the basis of five parameters prescribed by the Health Ministry.
The rating is done by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
FSSAO has launched various innovative initiatives, including the Eat Right Research Awards and Grants – Phase II, Eat Right Creativity Challenge – Phase III, a school-level competition, and the logo for AyurvedaAahar.

This logo, which contains the initials of Ayurveda and Aahar with five leaves symbolising the five elements of nature, would be beneficial in creating a unique identity for food products and in their easy identification.

FSSAI is an autonomous body.
It was established under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.
The FSSAI has been established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which is a consolidating statute related to food safety and regulation in India.
FSSAI is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the regulation and supervision of food safety.
The FSSAI is headed by a non-executive Chairperson, appointed by the Central Government, either holding or has held the position of not below the rank of Secretary to the Government of India.
The FSSAI has its headquarters at New Delhi.
The authority also has 6 regional offices located in Delhi, Guwahati, Mumbai, Kolkata, Cochin, and Chennai.
14 referral laboratories notified by FSSAI, 72 State/UT laboratories located throughout India and 112 laboratories are NABL accredited private laboratories notified by FSSAI.