Kerala Retains Top Spot In India Food Index for Second Consecutive Year

Kerala has once again secured first position in the State Food Safety Index (SFSI) 2024, marking the second consecutive year that the southern state has claimed the spot. The report was released in the inaugural session of FSSAI Global Food Regulators Summit 2024.

About State Food Safety Index (SFSI)

• The Index is an annual assessment released by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
• It was started from 2018-19 with the aim of creating a competitive and positive change in the food safety ecosystem in the country.
• The index will help in providing safe and nutritious food to our citizens.

Parameters of SFSI

This index is based on the performance of the State/ UT on five significant parameters.

1. Human Resources and Institutional Data,
2. Compliance,
3. Food Testing – Infrastructure and Surveillance,
4. Training & Capacity Building
5. Consumer Empowerment.

• In the 2023 index, a new parameter called ‘Improvement in SFSI Rank’ was added.

General info

• The Index is a dynamic quantitative and qualitative benchmarking model that provides an objective framework for evaluating food safety across all States/UTs.
• The States/UTs are classified into 3 categories namely,

1. Large States
2. Small States
3. UTs (Union Territories)

Key Findings of Report

• Top Performing States

1. Kerala
2. Tamil Nadu
3. Jammu Kashmir
4. Gujarat
5. Nagaland

Kerala’s progression

• FSSAI noted that Kerala has achieved more than 100 per cent of its inspections target in FY24, and improved its food-testing infrastructure.
• Organized special drives to increase the number of license-holders and registrations, among other achievements.

Union Health Minister Remarks

• FSSAI is working on harmonizing food safety standards with international benchmarks and aligning Maximum Residue Limits for pesticides with global standards Codex.
• He stressed the need for a rigorous food-safety standard and adaptable regulatory framework to address innovative food trends such as plant-based proteins, insect protein, and lab-grown meat.

FSSAI released portal for food safety

• FSSAI launched the Food Import Rejection Alerts (FIRA), an online portal designed to notify the public and relevant food safety authorities about food import rejections at Indian borders.
• It also launched an advanced version of Food Import Clearance System called Food Import Clearance System 2.0 (FICS 2.0), an advanced version of Food Import Clearance System for faster processing and transparency by offering a complete online solution with new features, automation, and integration with other relevant portals.

About FSSAI

• It is an autonomous body established under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
• The FSSAI has been established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which is a consolidating statute related to food safety and regulation in India.
• Vision: Build a new India by enabling citizens to have safe and nutritious food, prevent diseases, and lead a healthy and happy life.
• Mission: Set globally benchmarked standards for food, encourage and ensure that food businesses adhere to these standards, adopt good manufacturing and hygiene practices, and ultimately enable citizens to access safe and right food.