India: Jammu and Kashmir ranks first in Food Safety Index for third time in row

Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir: Keeping up with its three-year-long streak, Jammu and Kashmir has again been ranked first in the Union Territory category of the Food Safety Index 2022-23. 

The Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya handed over the award to the Food Safety Commissioner Shakeel-ul-Rehman. The other dignitaries present at the event included Dr Bharti Pravin Pawar and Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare –Professor Satya Pal Singh Baghel.

The Chairman of FSSAI, Rajesh Bhushan and CEO of FSSAI- G Kamala Vardhana Rao, also marked their presence at the event.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India evaluates the performances of states and Union Territories on various parameters of Food safety. The results are then released in the Food Safety Index on an annual basis.

Notably, Jammu and Kashmir was also awarded first for having the maximum number of Eat Right Mela districts in the country. These districts have kept up with the implementation of the FSSAI initiatives to promote healthy and safe food habits among individuals. 

As officials noted, this is reflective of J-K’s commitment towards ensuring food safety and hygiene.

It must be noted that the Food Safety Index undertakes the qualitative and quantitative approach in benchmarking model to provide an objective framework for assessing food safety across all states and UTs.

The FSSAI took stock of data from the Food Safety Commissioners of all states and Union Territories to begin the statistical evaluation of the Food Safety Index 2022-23.

 The evaluating parameters include Human Resources, Compliance levels, Food testing facilities and surveillance, Training and Capacity building and Consumer Empowerment.

Jammu and Kashmir has been awarded for its compliance with FSS Act 2006 and Eat Right initiatives in 2022-23.  In accordance with this, the department conducted over 29000 inspections and tested 11848 legal samples. About 1600 prosecutions were filed, and imposition of penalties worth 14805850 INR.