By: Ibni Maqbool
Srinagar: Among the Union Territories, Jammu & Kashmir ranked first in the Food Safety Index released earlier this week.
According to the report prepared by The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), J&K has bagged the top slot in the index among eight Union Territories by scoring 67 points.
The Food Safety Index released by the Government of India on Monday is based on the performance of states and Union Territories in
2020-21. It has classified states and UTs into three categories: large states(20), smaller (8) states and UTs(8). The assessment and evaluation of each category has been done by separate teams comprising of outside experts for food testing and food & nutrition professionals in addition to FSSAI officials. The teams examined the details received and also interacted with States/UTs.
According to the report, J&K is followed by Andaman and Nicobar Island(61 points),Delhi(58 points), Chandigarh(53 points), Dadra and Nagar Haveli Daman and Diu(35 points), Ladakh(34 points), Puducherry(28 points) and Lakshwadeep( 18 points).
The Food Safety Index measures the performance of states/UTs on various parameters of Food Safety. This index is based on performance of State/ UT on five significant parameters, namely, human resources and Institutional data, compliance, food testing(Infrastructure and surveillance), training & capacity building and consumer empowerment.
According to the FSSAI report, J&K has scored 12 points in human resources and Institutional data, 25 points in compliance, 12 in food testing(Infrastructure and surveillance), five in training and capacity building and 13 in consumer empowerment.
Every year, the FSSAI releases the State Food Safety Index based on the overall performance of the States/ UTs in the previous financial year to create a positive competitive environment across the States/ UTs to meet the objectives of the Food Safety and Standards Act to provide safe food to general public at large. The first Food Safety Index for the year 2018-19 was announced on the first-ever World Food Safety Day on June 7, 2019.