Kerala Ranks First In FSSAI's National Food Safety Index

CM Pinarayi said that this is the first time Kerala was reaching first place in this field.

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan said that the state ranked first in the India food safety index on Wednesday. He said the achievement was "historic" and credited the various initiatives such as the food safety grama panchayat scheme implemented in 140 panchayats and the Safe and Nutritious Food at School project carried out in 500 schools. 

In a Facebook post, Pinarayi said, "Kerala ranked first in the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India's Food Safety Index. This is the first time Kerala is reaching the first place in this field. The National Food Security Index prepares by assessing around 40 performance excellence, including various awareness programmes."

The CM appreciated all the employees of the Food Security Department who strived for the historical achievement through proper and systematic action in food security. The 26 millet fairs and 148 'Eat Right' fairs held across the state as per the instructions of FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) also got a special mention in the record.

Taking to Twitter, Vijayan said, "Proud moment as #Kerala tops the State Food Safety Index 2023 in the large state category by@fssaiindia! It comes as a deserving recognition of GoK's committed efforts in the sector, including the exemplary implementation of Safe and Nutritious Food at School."

Kerala Health Minister Veena George said, "The state not only achieved the top spot in the food safety index, but its food safety department also doubled its revenue in 2022-23 compared to the 2021-22 financial year."

"The revenue of Rs 28.94 crore generated by the department in 2022-23 was 193 per cent more than that of 2021-22," she said, as per PTI.