Adulteration of food has been a major issue in India. Recently, several cases related to food contamination and adulteration have been reported across India. To address food adulteration, the FSSAI (Food Safety and Standard Authority of India), has launched initiatives to identify and control food adulteration.
The Food Regulatory Authority is underscoring its responsibility to confirming the probity of the food supply chain and additionally protecting the health of the public according to the ANI report.
The initiatives of the FSSAI are as follows: -
Initiative 1 of FSSAI: -
The website of FSSAI launched a DART (Detect Adulteration with Rapid Test) book. The book help consumers to detect common food adulterants in household commodities. The guidebook comprises 50 quick tests covering foods from various categories such as milk, sugar, oil, and spices. These quick tests include simple-to-follow instructions and pictorial representations that help to differentiate unadulterated and adulterated products. As per the report, these initiatives drive to empower consumers, enhance supervision, and raise attention about food safety across the country.
Initiative 2 of FSSAI: -
The FSSAI has also commenced the Food Safety on Wheels (FSW) initiative. This initiative provides mobile food testing laboratories that are equipped with essential tools for qualitative testing and the testing can be accomplished on the spot. These mobile food-testing vehicles will traverse public gatherings, educational institutions, remote areas, and consumer organizations, performing quick tests for specific adulterants in commonly consumed food items like ghee, sweets, milk, and spices, the report describes.
Initiative 3 of FSSAI: -
Additionally, the Food Regulatory Authority has launched the Food Safety Magic Box, a food safety testing kit for school children. This food safety magic box contains a guidebook, this book facilitates students to perform over 100 easy tests to detect contamination in various food products. As per the report, this test will aid in fostering awareness and promoting responsible consumer behavior from a young age in the country.
Remarking on these initiatives, the officials of FSSAI said that they strive to combat food adulteration effectively throughout the country by building public attention and it is also entrusting the consumers to make informed food preferences about the food that they consume.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Lavanya Beeraboina/MSM)
