Unsafe Food Leading to 4.2 Lakh Deaths & 600 Million Infections, Reveals FSSAI CEO
The Global Food Regulators Summit 2023, organized by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), commenced on July 20 and 21 at Delhi’s Manekshaw Centre. Union Health Minister, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, inaugurated the summit in the presence of various ministers and attendees, alongside FSSAI CEO, G Kamala Vardhana Rao, who disclosed some startling facts about unsafe food.
During the summit’s first day, G Kamala Vardhana Rao presented a report shedding light on the devastating impact of unsafe food on people’s lives. The report revealed that such contaminated food is responsible for a staggering 600 million infections each year. Even more alarmingly, it leads to approximately 4.2 lakh deaths annually.
These numbers highlight the urgent need for stricter food safety protocols and standards to curb these life-threatening incidents effectively. The FSSAI CEO stressed that food regulators must establish a comprehensive ecosystem under the One Health approach, as reported by BioTecNika.
The summit aims to create a global platform for food regulators to develop well-defined food safety programs and standards, as reported by LiveMint. Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya emphasized that safe food and good health are intertwined and essential for global sustainable development. He encouraged the participants from various nations to collaborate and find solutions to address food shortages.
During the event, the Union Health Minister also inaugurated the “Food-o-Copoeia,” a detailed guide focusing on standards for different food product categories and their specific requirements. This guide will play a crucial role in enhancing food safety practices and ensuring the well-being of consumers.
The Global Food Regulators Summit serves as a critical step towards ensuring the safety and quality of food products worldwide. By addressing the challenges posed by unsafe food, the summit aims to protect lives, prevent infections, and foster a healthier future for all.
