Union Health Minister releases fifth State Food Safety Index

Source: The post is based on the article “Union Health Minister releases fifth State Food Safety Index” published in AIR on 15th June 2023

What is the News?

The Union Health Minister has released the fifth State Food Safety Index in New Delhi.

What is the State Food Safety Index?

State Food Safety Index is an annual assessment released by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

Started in: 2018-19

Purpose: It is a dynamic quantitative and qualitative benchmarking model that provides an objective framework for evaluating food safety across all States/UTs.

Parameters: This index is based on the performance of the State/ UT on five significant parameters, namely 1) Human Resources and Institutional Data 2) Compliance 3) Food Testing – Infrastructure and Surveillance, 4) Training & Capacity Building and 5) Consumer Empowerment.

Significance: The index is meant to create a competitive and positive change in the food safety ecosystem in the country.The step was also taken to galvanize states and union territories to work towards ensuring safe food for citizens.

What are the key rankings of the index?

Among the large state category: Kerala is the top-ranking state followed by Punjab and Tamil Nadu.

Among the small states category: Goa is the top-ranking state followed by Manipur, and Sikkim.

Among the Union Territories category: Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi and Chandigarh secured first, second and third ranks respectively.