World Food Safety Day: Its Meaning and importance
In 2008, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India was set up as the food regulator of the nation.
Published:
07 Jun 2022 03:00pm IST
07 Jun 2022 03:00pm IST
The World Food Safety Day is observed on June 7 every year to create an awareness and educate the people about the consumption of healthy and hygienic food.
In 1916, the Government of India for the first time, considered the legislation to deal with food adulteration. In 1954, the government enacted the Prevention of Food Adulteration Law. Later on different laws were made by different organizations for different commodities. On August 23, 2006, The Food Safety and Standard Act was formed and the real change began. The act shifted the focus from adulteration to more holistic approach of ensuring food safety by setting standards. In 2008, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India was set up as the food regulator of the nation.
Since then, it has been setting bench marks, regulations and guiding principles for food safety and nutrition in the country. The organization has been constantly promoting safe food practices to ensure that more than 130 crore Indians get safe food everyday. There are scientific panels under the FSSAI. The organization has worked with the technical and scientific fraternity and has developed 9 technical banners for food safety management.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority Act is an act used to secure the laws relating to food and to establish science-based standards for food to control their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale, and import, to make sure the availability of food for human consumption and other food-related issues.
Obtaining a license can provide the food business with legal benefits, build goodwill, ensure food safety, create consumer awareness, and assist in business expansion.Obtaining a license can provide the food business with legal benefits, build goodwill, ensure food safety, create consumer awareness, and assist in business expansion. Also, it helps regulate, manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of import food.
In conversation with the Deputy Director of the Northeastern region of FSSAI, Mr. Partha Das Mohapatra, Fit Northeast came to know that the northeastern boundary of the FSSAI engulfs Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Nagaland. According to Mr. Mohapatra, there are testing laboratories in Assam and the other Northeastern states. The foods samples of all kinds of vendors and restaurants are tested and the quality is assured. Even the smallest street vendor is educated to sell food which is favourable for human consumption. Regular awareness and trainings are being carried out among the street vendors to educate them about food quality and safety.
It was highlighted that in case, if any food seller (be it street vendor or restaurant authority) is seen violating the food safety norms, a certain amount of fine is imposed on them. The fine and the punishment varies for different types of food business.
It was also added that it is not only the responsibility of the Food Safety Department but it is also the duty of the common man to suggest the food server (be it in the restaurants or at any street food stall) to maintain hygiene while dealing with food processing and offering (delivering).
It is mandatory for the people to register under the FSSI and inform the Food Safety Department about their new venture in prior hand. The people associated with agriculture (like farmers) will get a time relaxation for registration as they need to grow samples.
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