FSSAI launches egg safety drive after ‘nitrofurans presence’

Source:  NIE Subject:  Miscellaneous Context: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched a nationwide egg safety drive after a viral video alleged the presence of nitrofurans—a banned antibiotic—in eggs of a popular brand. About FSSAI launches egg safety drive after ‘nitrofurans presence’: What it is? The egg safety drive is a …

India Re-Elected to Codex Executive Committee

Source: PIB Subject: International Relation Context: India has been unanimously re-elected to the Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, securing a leadership role for the Asia region until 2027. About India Re-Elected to Codex Executive Committee: What it is? India has been re-elected as the Asian regional representative on the Executive Committee (CCEXEC) of …

Does India need nutritional transformation?

Syllabus: Health Source:  TH Context: India is witnessing a growing debate on nutritional transformation driven by the rise of functional foods and smart proteins, as the government explores biotech-based solutions to shift from food security to nutritional security under the BioE3 policy framework. About Does India need nutritional transformation? What are Functional Foods? Definition: Functional …

Definitive list of Ayurveda Aahara Products

Source:  PIB Context: The FSSAI, in collaboration with the Ministry of Ayush, released a definitive list of Ayurveda Aahara products to standardize traditional Ayurvedic food formulations under modern food safety regulations. About Definitive list of Ayurveda Aahara Products: What is Ayurveda Aahara? Ayurveda Aahara refers to food products formulated as per the dietary principles of …

Codex Alimentarius

Source:  TOI Context: India’s millet standard and leadership in Codex committees were appreciated at the 88th Codex Executive Committee (CCEXEC88) in Rome. About Codex Alimentarius: What it Is? Codex Alimentarius is a collection of internationally recognized food standards, guidelines, and codes of practice. It promotes food safety, consumer protection, and fair-trade practices in international food …

Explain how antimicrobial growth promoters’ function in animal production. Discuss why their continued use poses a risk to global public health.

Topic: Bio-technology Q5. Explain how antimicrobial growth promoters’ function in animal production. Discuss why their continued use poses a risk to global public health. (10 M) Difficulty Level: Medium Reference: IE Why the question: India’s recent FSSAI ban on antibiotics in food production and rising AMR cases globally have made it urgent to understand the …

UPSC Editorial Analysis: Monitoring of Pesticide Residues in Food

General Studies-2; Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.   Introduction The call by Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare for a nationwide strategy to monitor pesticide residues in food is of immense significance in the context of public health and food safety in India. Contamination …

High Risk Foods

Source:  BS Context: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has recently categorized packaged drinking water and mineral water as “high-risk foods,” intensifying regulatory measures to ensure safety and quality. This decision follows the removal of mandatory BIS certification, focusing instead on regular inspections and audits under the FSSAI’s purview. About High-Risk Food …

FSSAI

 Context: FSSAI directs companies to stop claiming “100% fruit juice” on labels and ads due to high sugar content. As per FSSAI, there is no provision of such claims as per Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018. The products must be labelled in accordance with the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and …

Issues with India’s Food Regulatory System

GS Paper 2  Syllabus: Governance   Source: IE   Context: Controversies surrounding food safety in India have put the spotlight on the country’s regulator, FSSAI.   Recent cases of food issues in India: Allegations against Nestle’s baby food products for unhealthy sugar content. Concerns over carcinogenic additives in powdered spices, including MDH and Everest brands. …

QR codes on Food products

Facts for Prelims (FFP)     Source: TH  Context: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has recommended the use of QR codes on food products to make information accessible to visually impaired individuals.   What are QR Codes? QR codes, or Quick Response codes, are two-dimensional barcodes that store information. They can be …

Food Fortification: Benefits and associated risks

GS Paper 3  Syllabus: Food Security; Technology Missions   Source: ET  Context: According to a UN report, India’s pilot studies on rice fortification showed a significant drop in the prevalence of anaemia among schoolchildren.   Food Fortification:  Meaning: It is defined as the practice of adding vitamins and minerals to commonly consumed foods during processing …

Agmark registration

  Source: Business Standard  Context: FSSAI proposes to do away with Agmark registration for some edible oils. Only an FSSAI license will be enough and a separate Agmark registration will not be required. This would facilitate ease of doing business and reduce the multiplicity of laws that govern the food sector.   Certification Marks in …

Misleading food ads and regulations to curtail them

GS Paper 2  Syllabus: Governance: Government Policies and Interventions   Source: TH  Context: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has flagged 32 new cases of misleading advertisements and claims made by food business operators. FSSAI has referred the cases to licensing authorities and warned that offenders face penalties of up to INR …

FSSAI

Facts for Prelims (FFP) Source: TH  Context: Cadbury Bournvita’s products advertisement and product packaging have been found to be misleading as they did not disclose the sugar content.   FSSAI regulation on the product packaging: FSSAI issued a draft notification on front-of-package labelling in September 2022 that proposed the “Indian Nutrition Rating.” It would notify …

Report alleges conflict of interest behind India’s fortified food programme

GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Food Security; Technology Missions   Source: DTE  Context: The public food fortification programme under India’s food safety regulator (FSSAI) has come under scanner after a report alleged conflicts of interest behind it.   Background: The mandates of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the Food Fortification Resource …

[Mission 2023] INSIGHTS DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS + PIB SUMMARY 6 January 2023

  InstaLinks :  help you think beyond the issue but relevant to the issue from UPSC prelims and Mains exam point of view. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions in your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to …