Health Ministry Advocates for Enhanced Oversight of Pesticide Residues in Food
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Synopsis
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav, called for a national strategy aimed at enhancing the monitoring of pesticide residues in food, emphasizing collaboration among stakeholders for improved food safety practices.
Key Takeaways
- Stricter monitoring of pesticide residues is needed.
- Collaboration among stakeholders is essential.
- Farmers are becoming more adaptable to new technologies.
- Public awareness about pesticide use must be increased.
- Food safety frameworks need to be strengthened.
New Delhi, Feb 13 (NationPress) The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav, emphasized the need for a comprehensive national approach to enforce stricter oversight of pesticide residues in food.
During the launch of the National Stakeholder Consultation on Challenges in Monitoring Pesticide Residues in Food Commodities, organized by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) under the health ministry, Jadhav highlighted the importance of collective efforts among all stakeholders to promote best practices for food safety and sustainability.
This consultation on pesticides marks the beginning of a series of discussions with stakeholders addressing emerging topics such as sustainable packaging, nutraceuticals, and antimicrobial resistance.
Commending the FSSAI's initiative to bolster food safety frameworks, the Union Minister stressed the necessity of reassessing current pesticide monitoring practices. He proposed the establishment of a robust mechanism to tackle pesticide residue challenges throughout the country.
Furthermore, Jadhav pointed out the critical role of agriculture in supporting millions of livelihoods and guaranteeing food security.
He noted that today’s farmers are increasingly adept at utilizing new technology, making it easier to educate them about pesticide application and Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs).
Additionally, he called for collaborative efforts from all stakeholders to formulate a solid action plan aimed at reducing pesticide residues in food commodities.
Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava highlighted the serious public health risks posed by the reckless use of pesticides.
She underscored the necessity of enhancing monitoring systems and increasing public awareness regarding pesticide use, ensuring that everyone has access to safe food.
She also championed the creation of actionable strategies focused on safeguarding public health, reiterating that the primary objective of this consultation is to ensure that all individuals can enjoy safe and healthy food.
