Eat Right India: Steadily Reforming India’s Food Ecosystem

Safe foods and healthy diets are critical in the context of India’s rising burden of food borne diseases, under-nutrition, micro-nutrient deficiencies and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like hypertension, diabetes, heart related diseases, etc. According to the Burden of Disease study, 6 of the top 10 risk factors for burden of disease in India are food-related.  The economic cost of foodborne illnesses is estimated at 0.5% of the GDP.  

                                                                                             Shri Arun Singhal, CEO, FSSAI

This year’s World Food Safety Day theme- “Safer food, Better Health” is rightly set to draw attention and mobilize action to prevent, detect and manage foodborne risks and improve human health. The call to action on this year’s World Food Safety Day is a reminder that everyone including policy makers, food businesses, educational institutions and workplaces, and consumers play a role in keeping food safe. It emphasises on the need to prioritize food safety throughout the supply chain, from farm to table. 

Food safety is one of the determinant of a sound and cohesive healthcare system in a country. Safe food is essential to promoting human health and well-being and ending hunger, two of the 17 main UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).This underlines the need to focus on preventive healthcare through ensuring safe, healthy and sustainable food for all people. It is in this context, that the ‘Eat Right India’ movement has been launched by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.  

Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy and habits of food and nutrition, the movement is envisioned as a transformative large-scale change initiative that combines regulatory, capacity building and empowerment approaches judiciously to protect and advance public health and improve quality of life of all people. Right food is the foundation for better life and its tagline, ‘sahi bhojan behtar jeevan’ (right food, better life) says it all. The movement is based on three key pillars of, ‘Eat Safe, Eat Healthy and Eat Sustainable’. Envisioned as a low cost, high impact collaborative and partnership based preventive health care strategy to promote consumption of safe and wholesome food, it requires interventions on both supply–side and demand-side, taken up together in a campaign mode. As foodborne illnesses and various diet-related diseases cut across all age groups and all sections of the society, the movement brings together food-related mandates of the agriculture, health, and environment ministries, and adopts an integrative or ‘whole of the government’ approach. Further it builds on synergies with flagship programmes like Ayushman Bharat, Swachh Bharat Mission, POSHAN Abhiyaan and Fit India movement to institutionalise preventive healthcare as a way of life. 

A series of initiatives aimed at improving food quality and safety have been launched under the aegis of Eat right India targeting both supply and demand side. To build capacity of food businesses, FSSAI initiated ‘Food Safety Training and Certification’ (FOSTAC) – a unique program to ensure that there is a trained and certified Food Safety Supervisor (FSS) on each food business premises. Given the large unorganized food sector in India comprising a range of food businesses from street food vendors, dhabas, eateries, etc., several benchmarking and certification schemes to improve food safety and hygiene standards are in place. These involve training of food handlers and audits of food businesses by third-party audit agencies. Schemes such as ‘Clean Street Food Hub’, ‘Clean and Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Markets’, ‘Eat Right Station’ and ‘BHOG (Blissful Hygienic Offering to God) for Places of Worship’ are targeted to clusters of vendors. For individual outlets such as restaurants, catering establishments, sweet and meat shops, the ‘Hygiene Rating Scheme’ has been introduced. 

Additionally, to create a culture of healthy eating habits across different settings like schools, workplaces, educational institutes, hospitals, etc., Eat Right School and Eat Right Campus certification programs have been launched. Under these initiatives, certification is awarded based on compliance to pre-defined benchmarks on safe, healthy and sustainable diets across these settings.  

FSAAI uses various tools and mediums to create awareness about eating right. To celebrate ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, FSSAI is organizing “Eat Right Walkathon and Eat Right Melas” in 75 cities across India to commemorate 75 Years of India’s Independence. The events are aimed for massive outreach to propagate the message of Safe, Healthy and Sustainable diets. It promotes millets as a nutri-cereal, local & seasonal produce and variety of healthy oils for optimal health and nutrition.  The event kick-started in August 2021 and 26 such events has been organized so far.

FSSAI also releases ‘Myth Busters’ and ‘Guidance Notes’ for consumers from time to time to address any growing concerns related to food and clarify misconceptions at large. In addition to this, a pool of information including Pink Books for the Home Kitchens, the yellow books for schools, The Orange Books for the campuses etc., have been developed with the help of experts, nutritionists, doctors and chefs.  The Eat Right Toolkit has been developed for Health and Wellness Centers under the Ayushman Bharat to ensure message reaches the grassroots level.

For mass consumer awareness and bringing about a shift in eating behaviours, emphasis has been placed on encouraging healthy food choices. FSSAI launched the “Aaj Se Thoda Kam” mass awareness campaign to reduce salt, fat and sugar in diets, and Trans-Fat Free India@75 to eliminate trans-fats by 2022. Apart from this, FSSAI promotes a variety of foods considering the vast diversity in diet, culture, customs, etc. for wholesome nutrition. Citizens are nudged to make the right food choices and promote diet diversification with a variety of whole grains ranging from wheat and rice, which are commonly consumed, to millets and other indigenous grains for better nutrition. Large-scale fortification of 5 staples including rice, wheat flour, edible oil, milk and salt with micronutrients appear to be good vehicles to deliver nutrients to large sections of the population. Nudging consumers to eat right not only creates awareness but constantly reiterates the importance of ‘mindful’ eating to ensure a sustainable change in habits. 

To empower consumers to address adulteration, FSSAI has introduced The DART Book to check common food adulterants at home with simple tests. In addition, FSSAI has also launched mobile food testing vans, called Food Safety on Wheels (FSWs) to reach remote areas and conduct training and awareness activities as well.  

To encourage and support sustainable food practices to protect the environment, FSSAI is spearheading initiatives such as ‘Jaivik Bharat’ for easy identification of authentic organic food; ‘Save Food, Share Food’ to reduce food waste and promote food donation; ‘Safe and Sustainable Packaging in Food and Beverage Sector’ to reduce the use of plastics and Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (RUCO) for safe and healthy use of cooking oil and repurposing used cooking oil to make biodiesel/soap, etc.

 

The Eat Right India targets people across ages, gender, regions, and socioeconomic groups. With the joint efforts of all stakeholders in the food systems from production to consumption, the Eat Right India movement can go a long way in addressing the issues around food safety and nutrition in the country.

All Editorials

Unmasking Air Pollution’s Impact on Pulmonary Health

Over the past few decades, air pollution and climate change have become major global concerns. Air pollution has many detrimental effects that pose a threat to global public health in terms of significant disease burden as well as mortality. It is disturbing that...

Cracking Cheese Codes: Healthy Choices, Labels, and Storage Tips

Cheese is a creamy, tangy, versatile delight that can elevate any dish and melt our hearts and taste buds in seconds. However, it is often thought to have negative effects on our health. With a little mindfulness, you can make healthier choices when it comes to this...

Navigating AI Influence: Consumer Caution Ahead

In the modern digital landscape, artificial intelligence (AI) is a powerful force influencing consumer decisions. AI algorithms leverage vast data to grasp consumer behaviour and preferences, fuelling personalized recommendations and targeted advertising. In the realm...

Navigating the Web: A Consumer’s defence Against Dark Patterns

Consumers are finding themselves in a wide online landscape in an era of digital convenience. Although there are many advantages of the internet, it is important to stay vigilant against such practices commonly referred to as dark patterns. These subtle design choices...

Portion Smart: Eating Foods, the Right Way

Imagine a bag of chips. The label might list a serving size as 28 grams, but let's be honest, who stops at just that? That's where portion size comes in. It's the amount of food you choose to eat, which can be more or less than a serving size. Think of a serving size...

A continuous surge in antimicrobial resistance

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is the 21st-century global public health problem. AMR occurs when microbes, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites stop responding to antimicrobial medicines. Because of the high rate of antibiotic overuse that leads to...

NutriBars Decoded: Making Informed Choices

As I navigated the bustling supermarket aisles, my attention was drawn to the vibrant array of NutriBars lining the shelves. Each bar boasted enticing claims, from "high protein" to "low sugar”, but the sheer variety and conflicting messages left me feeling...

Food Contact Materials and Your Health: Tips for a Safer Approach

Recently, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued a strong advisory urging both consumers and food vendors to refrain from using newspapers in any capacity related to packing, serving, or storing food items. The FSSAI emphasized the potential...

World Diabetes Day 14 th Nov, 2023 – Access to Diabetes Care

Authors: - Dr. Pankaj Bhardwaj (Dr Pankaj Bhardwaj,  Academic Head, School of Public Health (SPH), Professor of Community Medicine & Family Medicine All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jodhpur and Dr. Madhukar Mittal (Additional Professor and Head,...

The Emerging Crisis of Antibiotic Resistance

One of the greatest medical discoveries of the 20th century, antibiotics have saved countless lives by efficiently treating bacterial infections around the globe. However, the overuse and abuse of antibiotics have given rise to a formidable adversary, antibiotic...

The Significance of IRR in Investment

Shri Sharad Ranjan and Shri Hariti Tyagi The BackstoryThe relationship manager of a well-established bank reached out to my daughter, who is in the beginning of her twenties, and proposed an investment plan. The investment plan, according to him, is the best...

Sabudana Unveiled: The Tapioca Tale and Beyond

Sabudana holds a special place in the hearts and traditions of millions. These small, translucent globules have become synonymous with fasting seasons in India, particularly during religious festivals like Navratri, Shivaratri, Ekadashi, and Saawan season. During...

Recurrent pregnancy loss

With an increasing number of affected couples, recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) has become a widespread reproductive health problem. Clinically, it is defined as the loss of three or more pregnancies before the foetus reaches viability. It affects approximately 3...

From Grain to Gain: Mastering the Art of Aata Selection

Are you aware of what goes into that essential ingredient that forms the foundation of countless Indian meals? Yes, we're talking about aata, the versatile flour that brings us the beloved rotis, chapatis, and parathas. But have you ever stopped to consider the...

DNA Fingerprinting: A key to know your ancestry

A new field of study was opened in 1984 when Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys generated the first genetic fingerprint in his lab at the University of Leicester. Talking about his discovery, Sir Alec said, "My life changed on Monday morning at 9.05 am, 10 September 1984....

Decoding the Secrets of Buying the Best Saffron

Did you know that saffron is one of the most expensive spices of the world? It is used in a variety of dishes in India. Its application extends to traditional medicine and cosmetics as well. Also, saffron is an important part of many religious ceremonies in India,...

Rise and decline of the Consumer Movement in India

The consumer movement is an organised social movement that promotes consumer protection and is often led by consumer organisations. It argues for consumer rights, particularly when those rights are actively violated by the activities of corporations, governments, and...

वॉयस की 40वीं सालगिरह

उपभोक्ता शिक्षा और जागरूकता में 40 वर्षों से काम कर रही है कंस्यूमर वॉयस कंस्यूमर वॉयस लगातार 40 वर्षों से उपभोक्ता शिक्षा और जागरूकता के क्षेत्र में संघर्षरत एक स्वयंसेवी संस्था है। वॉयस लगातार भारत में उपभोक्ताओं के लिए उनके उपभोक्ता अधिकारों के संघर्ष कर रही है।...

40 years of VOICE – The Beginning

There is no particular date on which we launched VOICE in April 1983 at the Delhi School of Economics campus at Delhi University. There was no launch ceremony or event. It was born out of the drafting of a complaint by VOICE signed by me and about 30 of my students....

Buttermilk: A Refreshing Summer Drink

Buttermilk is an excellent summer beverage that is not only refreshing and delicious, but also good for your health. Buttermilk has numerous benefits, including being low in calories and fat, high in protein and calcium, and containing probiotics which can help...

Women’s Health and Nutritional Needs

Every year we observe March 8 as International Women’s Day. According to the Unite Nations, the purpose of this day is to uphold women's achievements, recognize challenges, and focus greater attention on women's rights and gender equality. The state of women's health...

Makhana: A Superfood for Sure!

Makhana, also known as Foxnut, is a widely consumed snack during fasting in India. It is becoming a popular snack among health-conscious consumers due to its healthier nutrient. Makhana is mixed with different seasoning and flavouring substances, and a range of ready...

Maltodextrin: What is it?

If you go through food labels, you must have come across maltodextrin in the ingredient list. It is a commonly used ingredient in processed packaged foods. Maltodextrin has several applications in the food industry, has some health benefits but it has also been...

Gut Microbiota and Nutrition

Human gut is home to many species of microbes, collectively referred as ‘gut microbiota’. They can be both symbiotic and pathogenic in nature, coexisting together without causing any trouble. Sometimes this balance could be disturbed due to infectious illnesses,...

Choosing Quality Eggs

Eggs are one of nature's most nutrient-dense foods. They are rich in essential micronutrients and provide high-quality protein. There are innumerable benefits of eating eggs regularly. Selection of eggs is simple, but presence of different varieties of eggs in the...

Eat Right Challenge

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), has initiated the Eat Right India movement. The movement is based on three key themes, ‘if it’s not safe, it’s not food’ (safe food), ‘food should not only serve the palate but is also meant for body and mind’...

Chocolates: Are they Good or Bad for Health?

Chocolates are either critiqued to have negative impact on health or are portrayed by the marketers to have health benefits especially dark chocolates. The truth is that the composition of every chocolate is different from the other one, and this along with the amount...

Diet Soda: Are they good for your health?

Diet sodas are a popular beverage all over the world, among people of all ages who are anxious to reduce their sugar or calorie intake. Instead of sugar, artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, cyclamates, saccharin, acesulfame-k, or sucralose, are used to sweeten...

State Food Safety Index 2021-22

To encourage States/UTs to improve their performance and work towards establishing a proper food safety ecosystem in their jurisdiction, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has released the State Food Safety Index (SFSI) annually for each...

Choosing the Right Cookware and Tableware for Your Home

We take utmost precautions while handling food to prevent contamination or any food hazard. However, have you given a thought about the utensils in which it is cooked, served, or stored? In this article, we will discuss cookware and tableware made from different...

EatSmart Cities Challenge

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in association with the Smart Cities Mission under the aegis of Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) recently announced the winners of the EatSmart Cities Challenge. The 11 winning cities include...

Stay Healthy This Summer!

Summers are here, and accordingly we must make some dietary changes in this season to adapt to the heat. Summer calls for a diet which helps us to cool down our body temperatures. As temperature rise, we tend to sweat more in summers therefore keeping ourselves...

Reducing Anaemia through Large Scale Food Fortification

Micronutrients are essential to sustain life and for optimal physiological functions. High prevalence of micronutrient deficiency is affecting the lives of more than 2 billion people in the world despite substantial efforts to decrease its prevalence for the past few...

Home Buyers Interests Put Above All

In civil appeal No. 3778 of 2020 in the Supreme Court, the bench of Judges M.R. Shah and B.V. Nagarathna, in case of Amit Katyal V/S Meera Ahuja & others, allowed the withdrawal of Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) against a builder in an application...

Is Inter-meal Munching a Healthy Habit?

Munching between meals is often seen as an unhealthy habit. Mostly because the snacks we usually munch on are unhealthy and could be high in calories, fat, sugar, and salt, and low in essential micronutrients. But it is wrong to think that inter-meal munching is a bad...

Testing: Critical for Ensuring Food Safety

Food safety is one of the major determinants of a sound and cohesive healthcare system in a country. As food chains are becoming longer, complex and globalized, contamination of food leading to food borne diseases is a growing concern. Unsafe food not only poses a...

Is Vegan Meat Healthy For You?

Will eating more plant-based or vegan meat benefit both our health and the environment?  This question has been a debatable and an ongoing one. People believe that plant-based meat could be a sustainable answer to global environmental concerns. However, many...

Devising a healthy trans-fat free life

The growing incidence of non-communicable diseases is a wakeup call for us to ensure we create a safer food system and understand why trans fats is a critical challenge for our country, writes Shri Arun Singhal, CEO, FSSAI.  As the world is advancing and systems are...

A2 Milk: Why you should know more about it?

You might have heard about A2 milk and the claims that it is better than the regular milk (A1 milk) commonly available in the market. Consumer perceives such milk as better option than regular milk. Even A2 ghee too is perceived as healthier. But, what’s the reality?...

Are health drink powders actually good for you?

Intro: India is one of the largest consumer markets for malt-based drinks in the world. Malt-based products are marketed as ‘health drinks’ and are specifically targeted at children, and their parents. They are often marketed as an essential product that provides...

Maximise health by minimising salt, sugar and fat

It is increasingly becoming apparent that high consumption of salt, sugar and fat is one of the prime reasons behind the risk of developing lifestyle diseases like diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, etc writes Shri Arun Singhal, CEO, FSSAI. Not all fats...

Why hydroponic foods are good for you

Our food systems are constantly evolving every day. Innovations like vegan meats and NutriLock technology are already transforming our food systems.  These innovations not only improve the nutritional adequacy of food, and its taste but also address sensitive issues...

Is your food coming from a hygiene-rated eatery?

Is your food coming from a hygiene-rated eatery? The past 18 months have taught us many things besides cooking. And there we saw, a sharp increase in ordering food online just after the situation started getting better. While cooked food delivered at home has been...

Keep these 5 things in mind while buying jewelry onlinez

Keep these 5 things in mind while buying jewelry onlineWe think we all are aware of the nitty-gritties of buying stuffs online. Sure. We’ve been quite habituated with the techniques of checking different sites for price, quantity, offers etc to ensure the best buy....

Why there is a liking for organic products

Why there is a liking for organic productsWith the greater awareness about the health hazards and the intensity of damage chemical products could cause to the body, consumers got a little push towards the organic products. The transformation of adopting organic...

Sustainable Living with Smart Home Technology

Sustainable Living with Smart Home TechnologyWith global warming on the rise and increasing concerns about our carbon footprint, it is time that we start adopting sustainable means of living. Although we have made leaps in waste management, we are yet to address the...

Top five consumer trends in the post-pandemic world

Top five consumer trends in the post-pandemic worldBy Kapil Makhija, CEO, UnicommerceWhen we thought it’s over, it came back again. Yes, the second wave of Covid cases have shattered our expectations greatly. But all things are not gloomy at this front. As we have...

Enquire Now

    X
    Enquire Now