Kochi: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has reported that Kerala is listed among the states which ensure food safety in India. Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar, Delhi and Chandigarh are the other states named in the list. FSSAI has prepared the list of states which excel in food security on the basis of food quality, inspections and legal actions.
At the same time, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Assam, Jharkand, Odisha, West Bengal, Telangana and Uttarakhand are found to be very poor in food safety, reports FSSAI.
Though Kerala tops in regard to food safety, compared to other states in the list Kerala serves unhygienic or contaminated food.
The food safety officials examined 4378 food samples in Kerala during 2018-19. Among these samples, a total of 201 samples were found unsafe to consume. 321 samples violated the food safety standards. The food safety department registered 259 cases over preparing labels by misleading the public.
Meanwhile, 102 criminal cases were registered over violation of food safety standards in the state. The food safety department collected Rs 1.11 crore as penalty for 562 civil cases and 339 cases.
In view of this, the department has taken a stern action to curb the violation of food safety standards. It is reported that 6000 food samples will be examined this year.
