India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) on Wednesday urged the states and center areas to intensify efforts in response to the Prime Minister’s Clarian call for rough action and a reduction of 10% in oil consumption.
The appeal was made during a meeting of the 47th Central Advisory Committee (CAC) held in New Delhi on 27 May, where extensive measures were deliberately done to address this growing public health concern.
States and UT were strongly encouraged to enhance public awareness campaigns and to implement concrete tasks to realize the vision of obesity and healthy nation.
A major attraction of discussions was the recent instruction from the Central Board of Central Secondary Education (CBSE) to set up ‘Sugar Board’ in schools.
FSSAI emphasized the important role of states in actively supporting and implementing this initiative to curb excessive sugar consumption among children and promote healthy dietary habits.
The authority also emphasized the importance of enhancing food safety monitoring, promoting the ‘Eat Right India’ movement and ensuring availability of nutritious and safe food options in all areas of society.
FSSAI confirmed its commitment to providing necessary technical guidance and assistance to states and UTS for successful execution of these initiatives.
The 47th CAC meeting saw the participation of more than 60 members, including the Commissioner of Food Safety, senior officials of the states and UTS, the representatives of the Union Ministry and stakeholders of the Food Industry, Consumer Groups, Agriculture, Laboratories and Research Organizations.
Construction on these discussions, a few days ago, FSSAI urged all states and center areas to intensify inspections and operate special enforcement drives to curb the illegal use of non-perfect fruit ripening agents, as well as the color and coating of fruits with synthetic colors or non-reflective wax, according to an official release.
Food security commissioners in all states and UTS along with regional directors of FSSAI have been directed to maintain strict vigilance on fruit markets and mandis to prevent illegal use of agents such as calcium carbide, usually called ‘masala’.
As part of these enforcement efforts, suspected cow-down and storage facilities are to be well inspected to use prohibited substances such as calcium carbide for ripening of fruits.
These joint measures show FSSAI’s commitment to protect public health by promoting healthy dietary habits across the country as well as ensuring food security. (AI)
