A farmer sprays pesticides in a mustard field in Assam’s Kamrup district, Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023. (PTI Photo)
Food safety authority FSSAI CEO G Kamala Vardhana Rao has asked states to set up an inter-ministerial panel to reduce the use of pesticides to ensure safe food for consumers.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) held its 44th meeting of the Central Advisory Committee (CAC) on August 22 and 23 under the chairmanship of its Chief Executive Officer, an official statement said on Friday.
The meeting was attended by over 50 officials including Food Safety Commissioners (FSCs), representatives of states and union territories (UTs), senior officials of FSSAI and members from the food industry and agriculture sector.
Rao “discussed setting up an inter-ministerial committee to address concerns over pesticide use”.
The FSSAI CEO suggested that each state should “set up an inter-ministerial committee, which will focus on reducing pesticide use, implementing control measures and developing strategies to monitor and regulate pesticide use at the farmer level”.
According to the regulator, the initiative aims to ensure that agricultural practices remain safe and sustainable, thereby protecting consumers from potential health risks associated with pesticide residues in food.
Rao stressed on the ongoing meetings of the inter-state zonal council, which are focusing on filling up vacant posts of food safety officers (FSOs) and designated officers (DOs), and the urgent need to modernise food testing laboratories.
He asked states to submit proposals for setting up new microbiology laboratories to increase testing capacity.
Rao further stressed the need to identify key locations within states where mobile laboratories, Food Safety on Wheels (FSWs), can be deployed.
These mobile laboratories can play an important role in raising consumer awareness and disseminating important information about food safety measures.
The FSW vans, equipped with testing equipment and RAPID kits, quickly assess food quality and safety parameters in accordance with food safety regulations and standards.
Results are available within hours, allowing rapid corrective action to be taken to ensure the safety of food products for public consumption.
The FSSAI CEO concluded with a renewed commitment from all stakeholders to work together to ensure that food safety remains a top priority. This reflects the collective effort to provide safe and nutritious food to consumers across the country.
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First publication: Aug 23, 2024 | 9:50 PM IST