Daily Current Affairs : 2-November-2023

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) introduced the State Food Safety Index (SFSI) in 2019 to enhance food safety measures in Indian states. The latest data for 2023 reveals concerning trends in the performance of major states.

Understanding the State Food Safety Index (SFSI):

The SFSI is an annual assessment model by FSSAI that evaluates food safety across Indian states and union territories. It consists of five parameters: Human Resources and Institutional Data, Compliance, Food Testing Infrastructure, Training and Capacity Building, and Consumer Empowerment.

Key Highlights of the SFSI 2023:
  1. Significant Decline in Scores:
    • Maharashtra’s score dropped from 74 to 45 out of 100.
    • Bihar’s score fell from 46 to 20.5.
    • Gujarat’s score decreased from 73 to 48.5.
  2. Food Testing Infrastructure Parameter:
    • Maharashtra’s score plummeted to 4 out of 17, indicating a lack of adequate testing infrastructure.
    • Gujarat and Kerala performed best with 13.5 points out of 17.
  3. Compliance Parameter:
    • Jharkhand scored the lowest with 4 out of 28, highlighting issues in licensing and inspections.
    • Punjab and Himachal Pradesh achieved the highest score with 18 points each.
  4. Consumer Empowerment Parameter:
    • Bihar’s score decreased to 1 out of 19, indicating a decline in consumer engagement initiatives.
    • Tamil Nadu led with a score of 17 out of 19, followed by Kerala and Madhya Pradesh.
  5. Human Resources and Institutional Data Parameter:
    • States like Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh, which excelled in 2019, received lower scores in 2023, indicating a lack of human resources.
  6. Training and Capacity Building Parameter:
    • This parameter showed improvement, reflecting efforts in training and capacity building initiatives.
  7. Improvement in SFSI Rank Parameter:
    • 14 out of 20 large states received 0 points in this category, suggesting stagnant progress in ranking.
Important Points:
  • Understanding the SFSI:
    • SFSI assesses food safety across states and UTs based on five parameters: Human Resources, Compliance, Food Testing Infrastructure, Training, and Consumer Empowerment.
  • Key Highlights of SFSI 2023:
    • Significant Decline in Scores:
      • Maharashtra’s score dropped from 74 to 45.
      • Bihar’s score fell from 46 to 20.5.
      • Gujarat’s score decreased from 73 to 48.5.
    • Food Testing Infrastructure Parameter:
      • Maharashtra’s score plummeted to 4 out of 17.
      • Gujarat and Kerala performed best with 13.5 points out of 17.
    • Compliance Parameter:
      • Jharkhand scored the lowest with 4 out of 28.
      • Punjab and Himachal Pradesh achieved the highest score with 18 points each.
    • Consumer Empowerment Parameter:
      • Bihar’s score decreased to 1 out of 19.
      • Tamil Nadu led with a score of 17 out of 19.
    • Human Resources and Institutional Data Parameter:
      • States like Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh received lower scores in 2023.
    • Training and Capacity Building Parameter:
      • Showed improvement, reflecting efforts in training and capacity building initiatives.
    • Improvement in SFSI Rank Parameter:
      • 14 out of 20 large states received 0 points, indicating stagnant progress in ranking.
Why In News

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) introduced the State Food Safety Index (SFSI) four years ago to encourage enhancements in food safety. The latest data reveals that in 2023, 19 out of 20 major states have witnessed a decline in their SFSI scores compared to the scores from 2019. After considering a new parameter introduced in the 2023 index, 15 out of 20 states registered lower scores in 2023 when compared to 2019, indicating the need for focused efforts to address the emerging challenges in ensuring food safety across the nation.

MCQs about SFSI 2023:Assessing India’s Food Safety Landscape

  1. What is the primary purpose of the State Food Safety Index (SFSI) introduced by FSSAI in India?
    A. To evaluate the quality of food in individual households.
    B. To incentivize states and union territories to enhance food safety.
    C. To determine the best restaurants in each state.
    D. To assess the overall health of the population.
    Correct Answer: B. To incentivize states and union territories to enhance food safety.
    Explanation: The SFSI’s primary purpose is to incentivize states and union territories to enhance food safety within their jurisdiction.
  2. Which parameter experienced the steepest decline in 2023, with a reduced weightage of 17% compared to previous years?
    A. Compliance
    B. Human Resources and Institutional Data
    C. Food Testing Infrastructure
    D. Training and Capacity Building
    Correct Answer: C. Food Testing Infrastructure
    Explanation: The parameter that experienced the steepest decline in 2023, with a reduced weightage of 17%, is the “Food Testing Infrastructure.”
  3. Which state witnessed the most substantial drop in its SFSI score, falling from 74 out of 100 in 2019 to 45 out of 100 in 2023?
    A. Gujarat
    B. Tamil Nadu
    C. Maharashtra
    D. Kerala
    Correct Answer: C. Maharashtra
    Explanation: Maharashtra witnessed the most substantial drop in its SFSI score, falling from 74 out of 100 in 2019 to 45 out of 100 in 2023.
  4. Which state achieved the highest score in the “Consumer Empowerment” parameter in 2023, scoring 17 out of 19?
    A. Punjab
    B. Tamil Nadu
    C. Bihar
    D. Madhya Pradesh
    Correct Answer: B. Tamil Nadu
    Explanation: Tamil Nadu achieved the highest score in the “Consumer Empowerment” parameter in 2023, scoring 17 out of 19.

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