Dikhyaa Mohanty 
Odisha has ranked from 26th position to 13th position in the National Food Safety Index for 2019-2020 as per a top Government official.
A K Tripathy, the Chief Secretary, stated that the state-level food safety advisory committee meeting was held through video conferencing where the ranking was announced. He led the department to enhance food safety awareness among the people and food business operators (FBOs).
Further, he also directed to the strengthening of the surveillance measures. As the population has been growing in cities and growth centers, food safety has become more significant from individuals’ viewpoints and public health.
Secretary further directed the Food safety officers to increase their field visits and administer more inspections for the people’s safety. There should be more surveillance, along with expanding the number of food testing laboratories. Even there should be more engagement of the private labs in food testing and food fortification measures.
The Health and Family Welfare department should organize one technical committee for working out the techniques for prolonging food testing activities by purchasing the current labs of separate departments and universalities. This also includes the food safety chapters in the academic curriculum at different levels.
Yamini Sadangi, Commissioner Food Safety, also informed that Odisha was deemed at 5th position nationwide through high-risk investigations through mobile app technology.
Later Sadangi stated that the State food Testing Laboratory had intensified its potential for meeting the obligation of the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratory (NABL).
Article Written by Dikhya Mohanty
Image Source: Google
