Kerala, Tamil Nadu, J&K Top Performers in FSSAI’s State Food Safety Index 2024

Introduction

Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Jammu & Kashmir have emerged as the top performers in the 2024 State Food Safety Index (SFSI) released by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Kerala took the top spot, followed by Tamil Nadu and Jammu & Kashmir, respectively. These rankings were announced at the inaugural session of the Global Food Safety Regulators Summit, highlighting India’s commitment to improving food safety across the country.

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Key Highlights of the State Food Safety Index 2024

The State Food Safety Index is a comprehensive benchmarking system that evaluates states and Union Territories based on various parameters such as:

• Food safety infrastructure
• Human resources
• Institutional data
• Compliance and consumer empowerment

Kerala's Top Performance

In 2024, Kerala excelled by surpassing 100% of its inspection targets, improving its food-testing infrastructure, and launching special initiatives to increase food business licenses and registrations. These efforts placed Kerala at the top of the Index for food safety compliance.Tamil Nadu’s Significant AdvancesTamil Nadu secured second place due to its structured food safety measures. The state appointed a significant number of full-time food safety officers and established State Level Advisory Committees that met regularly to review food safety practices.Jammu & Kashmir’s Consistent ProgressJammu & Kashmir rounded out the top three, having shown substantial progress in improving food safety and regulatory practices. Their ranking highlights their commitment to safeguarding public health through effective food safety measures.

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Union Minister JP Nadda’s Vision for Food Safety

At the summit, Union Health Minister JP Nadda emphasized India's strides in aligning its food safety standards with global benchmarks. He highlighted ongoing efforts to:

• Harmonize food safety regulations with international standards, particularly Codex Maximum Residue Limits for pesticides.
• Address new food trends, such as plant-based proteins, insect protein, and lab-grown meat.

Minister Nadda also discussed the need for eco-friendly packaging to combat the alarming presence of microplastics in food chains. He underscored the importance of organic farming as a global necessity to minimize the risks posed by pesticide residues in food.

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New FSSAI Initiatives for Improved Food Safety

Nadda hailed India’s leadership in organic farming, a sustainable and chemical-free farming practice. He called for the worldwide adoption of organic farming to reduce harmful pesticides in food. He also introduced India's National Research Foundation, which has allocated $5.9 million to enhance research in food safety and other critical sectors from 2024 to 2028.

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New FSSAI Initiatives for Improved Food Safety

To further improve food safety and public awareness, FSSAI introduced:

• Food Import Rejection Alerts (FIRA): An online portal notifying authorities of food rejections at Indian borders.
• Food Import Clearance System 2.0 (FICS 2.0): A digital system for faster and more transparent food import processes.
• Millet Recipe Cooking Show: A new cooking show in collaboration with Doordarshan to promote nutritious millet-based recipes.

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Conclusion

The 2024 State Food Safety Index highlights the achievements of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Jammu & Kashmir in strengthening food safety measures. As India continues to harmonize its food safety standards with global norms, these states serve as role models for other regions to improve their food safety frameworks. With a focus on innovative solutions, such as organic farming and sustainable packaging, India is leading the way in safeguarding public health.

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#FoodSafety #StateFoodSafetyIndex #Kerala #TamilNadu #JK #PublicHealth #FSSAI #OrganicFarming #SustainablePackaging