FSSAI Launches 285 Mobile Units for Food Safety Inspections
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Synopsis
On March 21, the FSSAI announced the deployment of 285 Food Safety on Wheels to combat food adulteration across 35 states and Union Territories in India, providing necessary infrastructure for on-the-spot testing and improving food safety.
Key Takeaways
- 285 Food Safety on Wheels launched.
- Operational in 35 states and UTs.
- Supports on-site testing for food adulteration.
- Established 243 primary and 22 referral laboratories.
- Introduced food safety resources for analysis.
New Delhi, March 21 (NationPress) The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has rolled out 285 Food Safety on Wheels (FSW) units to combat food adulteration across 35 states and Union Territories, as reported to Parliament on Friday.
According to the Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav, these FSWs are equipped with essential infrastructure for immediate testing of food adulterants in various commodities. Currently, 285 FSWs are operational throughout 35 states and UTs,
The FSSAI was founded in 2008 under the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006 to ensure the provision of safe and nutritious food for human consumption.
Its primary mission is to establish science-based standards for food articles while regulating their production, storage, distribution, sale, and import.
Additionally, the FSSAI carries out regular nationwide surveillance of food products, particularly staple items and those vulnerable to adulteration, to verify the quality and safety of food consumed in India.
For the examination of food products, the FSSAI has designated 243 primary laboratories and 22 referral laboratories throughout the nation, Jadhav stated.
The food regulatory authority has also released a comprehensive array of resources focused on food safety and analysis, which includes manuals detailing the analysis methods for 17 food commodities, general sampling guidelines (2), and analysis techniques for fortificants in fortified foods (15), as added by the Minister of State.
Moreover, the FSSAI has introduced rapid food testing techniques to minimize screening time for food products in the field and enhance surveillance and monitoring efforts.
Approximately 79 Rapid Analytical Food Testing (RAFT) kits have been approved by the FSSAI, Jadhav mentioned.
In addition, the Food Safety Magic Boxes have been developed to assist in identifying food adulteration.
These boxes contain reliable quick screening tests that individuals can use at home, allowing them to assess potential adulteration in their food when concerned, the Minister concluded.
