FSSAI CEO calls for joint efforts to cut pesticides, sugar, microplastics in food products.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) CEO G. Kamala Vardhana Rao on Friday (January 17) underscored the need for a collaborative approach to reduce presence of pesticides, absorption of microplastics and use of sugar in food products.

He was participating in a programme titled ‘Strengthening the food safety, quality and regulatory ecosystem: towards enhancing the state food safety index’, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in association with the FSSAI and the State government.

Mr. Kamala Vardhana Rao said it is important to monitor the presence of pesticides in food products and suggested that every State constitute inter-ministerial committees to address the issue.

The FSSAI CEO favoured setting up “model food streets” to ensure supply of high-quality and safe food, the CII said in a release.

Separately, the Press Information Bureau said, in a release on the meeting, that Mr. Kamala Vardhana Rao urged food business operators to adopt a rationale approach on sugar content in food items. Added sugar and artificial sweeteners in processed foods were cited as a source of health concerns, including obesity, he said.

Self-compliance is key and food safety is everyone’s responsibility. Stringent action will be taken against errant manufacturers, he said, calling for measures to improve hygiene in meat and fish outlets as well.

Mr. Kamala Vardhana Rao said only food-grade plastic should be used for packing prepared food as microplastic leaching turn food items unsafe. The issue of pesticides in various agricultural commodities such as tea, coffee and spices was also an area of concern, he said, listing FSSAI measures to spread awareness among all stakeholders.

After the programme, he visited the street food hub on the Necklace Road and inspected a mobile food testing vehicle deployed there. He instructed the State food authorities to regularly monitor street food hubs and spread awareness among food handlers on food safety and hygiene