This Indian state has secured top position in FSSAI’s State Food Safety Index 2024 for second time in a row

According to the FSSAI website, “This index is based on performance of State/ UT on five significant parameters, namely, Human Resources and Institutional Data, Compliance, Food Testing — Infrastructure and Surveillance, Training & Capacity Building and Consumer Empowerment. The Index is a dynamic quantitative and qualitative benchmarking model that provides an objective framework for evaluating food safety across all States/UTs.”

Kerala’s health minister Veena George celebrated this achievement in a Facebook post, stating, “Kerala achieves historic achievement in food security at national level. Kerala holds the first position for the second consecutive year at the national level in the Food Security Index.”

While Kerala leads the pack, other states including Tamil Nadu, Jammu & Kashmir, Gujarat, and Nagaland have also made significant strides and earned their places in the top five rankings.

Key factors behind Kerala’s success

Biraja Rout, founder of Beamer Foods Brands, provides insights into the strategies that have contributed to Kerala’s top ranking:

Comprehensive food safety policies: Kerala has implemented rigorous quality checks and increased the frequency of inspections to ensure compliance with safety standards.

Specialised food safety squads: The state has established teams responsible for monitoring high-risk areas such as street food vendors, restaurants, and marketplaces.

Public health initiatives: Projects like the Safe Kerala initiative focus on ensuring food vendors meet hygiene and safety standards.

Community engagement: Kerala actively engages with the food business community to train and certify food handlers.

Digitalisation efforts: The state has implemented online systems for license issuance and food testing reports, streamlining processes and ensuring transparency.

According to the FSSAI website, “The Index is a dynamic quantitative and qualitative benchmarking model that provides an objective framework for evaluating food safety across all States/UTs.” (File/ Representational)

Advancements in food testing infrastructure

Rout emphasises the importance of Kerala’s state-of-the-art food testing labs. He tells indianexpress.com, “These labs not only support routine food inspections but also enable randomised testing of food products in both urban and rural areas.” 

The modernisation of testing infrastructure has led to faster and more reliable results, allowing authorities to take prompt action when violations are detected. “With advanced equipment, Kerala can now also conduct genetically modified organism (GMO) testing and analyse chemical residues, which were challenging in the past,” he adds. 

Consumer empowerment and public awareness

Another crucial aspect of Kerala’s success is its focus on consumer empowerment. Rout notes, “In Kerala, consumer empowerment is strengthened through awareness campaigns and programs that educate the public on their rights and responsibilities concerning food safety.”

The state has collaborated with consumer protection organisations to provide information about food adulteration, proper labelling, and hygiene standards. This approach has created a more informed population that actively participates in maintaining food safety standards.

Rout remarks that other states can enhance public awareness by launching similar educational initiatives and using digital platforms to disseminate information widely. “Establishing consumer complaint hotlines, introducing food safety apps, and conducting public workshops on food handling practices are also effective methods.” 

Evolving to meet new challenges

As food safety challenges become more complex, with issues like microplastics and novel foods emerging, Kerala’s approach serves as a model for other states. Rout suggests that states should “adopt a science-based approach by forming specialised committees to monitor emerging risks and recommend policy adjustments.”

He also stresses the importance of research and development, collaboration with academic institutions, and investment in cutting-edge technology to stay ahead of new food safety threats.