Tamil Nadu topped the state food safety index awards, followed by Gujarat and Maharashtra, in the State Food Safety Index awards announced by Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday on the occasion of World Food Safety Day.
Among smaller states, Goa was the winner, followed by Manipur and Sikkim, while Jammu and Kashmir topped the Union Territories, followed by Delhi and Chandigarh.
This was the 4th State Food Security Index Award, which was initiated in 2018-19 with an aim to bring about a competitive and positive change in the food security ecosystem of India. States showing significant improvement were also honoured.
Mandaviya said, “I hope that all the states receiving the award will continue to work hard to improve food security. The PM says that there is a deep connection between the nation and nutrition – if a country has to progress, so do its citizens. Being healthy is very important.”
He said that the government is working to ensure health security for all through initiatives like strengthening health and wellness centers and district hospitals under the National Health Mission.
The Minister also launched the Ayurveda Aahara logo, which has the initials of Ayurveda and Ahara, first in Devanagari and second in English, with five leaves symbolizing the five elements of nature, so that Ayurvedic foods can be easily identified. The Minister also released a Guidance Document on Foodborne Disease Outbreak Detection and Microbiological Process Control, and Sampling and Testing of Fish and Fish Products.