2008-09 declared ‘Food Safety & Quality Year’

The Government of India has declared year 2008-09 as ‘Food Safety and Quality Year’. This initiative will ensure safe, healthy and sustainable food supply, and bring about awareness amongst consumers to demand safe and quality food, the Finance minister said.

Under this period, the government will implement various schemes, including the establishment of Mega Food Park with integrated value chain to facilitate linkage of the farmers to the processors, industry and the market.

Besides establishing integrated cold chain facilities to enhance shelf-life of perishable products and link them to market, the government will modernise abattoirs including scientific and hygienic slaughtering practices and availability of quality meat to industry and consumers.

The government is looking forward to set up and upgrade food testing and quality control laboratories, besides upgrading hygiene and quality of food street vendors and food streets.

It would also institute awards for innovation in food quality, safety and product development, and will focus on developing quality and safety standards for various food products.

Apart from organising awareness programmes through publications and advertisements, workshops and seminars, on food safety and quality, the government would launch postage stamp to commemorate Food Safety and Quality Year 2008-2009.