ForumIAS announcing GS Foundation Program for UPSC CSE 2025-26 from 10th August. Click Here for more information.
Source- This post on Project on Microplastic Contamination has been created based on the article “FSSAI begins project on microplastic contamination” published in “The Hindu” on 19 August 2024.
Why in News?
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has initiated a project to evaluate microplastic contamination in food products and to develop detection methods.
About the Project on Microplastic Contamination
| Aspects | Description |
| About | The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has initiated a project to address the issue of microplastic contamination in food products. |
| Objectives | 1. Develop Detection Methods: Create and validate methods to detect micro and nano-plastics in food. 2. Assess Contamination Levels: Evaluate how widespread microplastics are in food and the exposure levels for consumers in India. 3. Set Analysis Standards: Establish standard procedures for analyzing micro/nano-plastics. 4. Laboratory Testing: Conduct comparisons between different laboratories to ensure consistent results. 5. Gather Data: Collect important data on microplastic exposure in the Indian population. |
| Collaborating Institutions | The project is being implemented in collaboration with leading research institutions such as CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (Lucknow), ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (Kochi) and Birla Institute of Technology and Science (Pilani). |
| Global Context | 1. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has reported finding microplastics in common food items like sugar and salt. 2. While these findings are global, FSSAI emphasizes the need for India-specific data to understand the impact on public health. 3. The results of this project will not only shape regulations in India but also add to the global knowledge on microplastic contamination in food. |
| Commitment to Public Health | 1. FSSAI is focused on ensuring that food in India is safe and healthy. 2. This project will help determine the level of microplastic contamination in Indian food and guide the creation of safety regulations. |
About Microplastics
1. Microplastics are tiny plastic particles, smaller than 5 mm in length, even tinier than a grain of rice.
2. Types of Microplastics:
i) Primary Microplastics: These are intentionally manufactured as small particles for commercial purposes. They are commonly found in cosmetics, nurdles (plastic pellets used in industrial manufacturing), and fibers from synthetic textiles like nylon.
2. Secondary Microplastics: They are formed from the degradation of larger plastic items, such as bottles, fishing nets, and plastic bags. Their breakdown occurs due to environmental exposure, including sunlight radiation, wind, and ocean waves.
About Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
1. It is a statutory body established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSS Act).
2. It operates independently under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
3. Its primary responsibility is to protects and promotes public health by regulating and supervising food safety standards.
4. Headquarters: New Delhi
UPSC Syllabus: Governance
