In a recently released report by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra made it to the top 3 spots that ranked states ensuring food safety in 2019-20. This report was shared on World Food Safety Day in light of the current COVID-19 situation and the renewed emphasis on safety & hygiene practices by restaurants.
Results Of The FSSI Report 2019-20
Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra have topped in the list of larger states that ranked states ensuring food safety in 2019-20. This rating was created on the basis of the following 5 parameters:
- Food testing facility
- Training and capacity building
- Human resources and institutional data,
- Compliance
- Consumer empowerment
Also read: Guidelines For Reopening Of Restaurants, Hotels, Offices, Malls & Religious Places
In the smaller states category, Goa, Manipur and Meghalaya topped the list. Among Union Territories, Chandigarh, Delhi and Andaman Islands made it to the top 3 spots. Hmmm, we bet all this talk about all these beautiful states in India is making you crave for a bit of travel. Well, we’ve got you covered. How about a virtual tour of beautiful Meghalaya?
Health Minister Harshvardhan said in a webinar, “Food safety is a shared responsibility. The call to action for safe food on this day is: Ensure it’s safe, Grow it safe, Keep it safe, Eat it safe and Team up for safety.”
Health Secretary Preeti Sudan added, “As we are lifting the lockdown, we need to ensure adequate precautions are taken in restaurants and food service and delivery establishments. We must emphasize food safety through social media and other communication platforms.”
Also read: Chef Vikas Khanna To Organise World’s Largest Food Drive Of 2 Mn Meals
Well, there you have it. We are living in unprecedented and precarious times, but life must go on. While Maharashtra has still not opened up its restaurants to the public for dine-in, most other states in India have done so as part of Lockdown 5.0. It is of utmost importance that we maintain social distancing and hygiene while dining out. We now have to be extra careful to avoid infection. And if you would prefer not eating out, well maa ke haath ka khaana is always non replaceable!