Examine the role played by CFTRI and FSSAI in Food Security and Food Safety in India.
Food security ensures adequate food supply to the people of a nation, especially to the deprived section. It also provides adequate nutrition. Food security has been a major concern in India since the British rule. India lags far behind in terms of quality protein-rich food development i.e. eggs, meat, fish, chicken, etc. at affordable prices
FSSAI
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India is the apex body in India that takes care of the quality and safety standards with respect to raw, processed, and packaged food products in the country. It is a statutory body established via the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and works under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Contribution to Food safety
- It has been established for laying down scientific standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale, and import to ensure the availability of safe food for consumption.
- It monitors the use of additives, microbial load, levels of heavy metals, and pesticides for local and imported food products in the country.
- FSSAI had prescribed the quality and safety standards, respectively for food products.
CFTRI
Central Food Technological Research Institute is one of the laboratories of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. It was established in 1950 to conduct research and development in the areas of food science and technology.
Contribution to Food safety
- It has contributed significantly over the years towards food security and food safety. Some of the innovative products that have emerged from the Institute include Amul baby food, parboiling of rice, Energy food, Oleoresins, Spirulina cultivation, Health oil, etc.
It also works for human resource development as the Institute offers a Doctoral degree in biological and chemical sciences and provides various other courses. It is involved closely in formulating and assisting regulatory aspects as well, both at the national and international levels.
Topics: GS-IV: Ethics and Human Interface