Clean and safe food is not merely a health issue but is deeply connected to human dignity, sustainable development, economic progress, and social stability. Today, as the world grapples with the complexities of food production, supply chains, and consumption, food security has evolved from a health concern to a global responsibility.
Food security doesn't just mean satisfying hunger; it means ensuring that every individual has constant access to sufficient, nutritious, safe, and high quality food. However, when this food is toxic, contaminated, or impure, it becomes a slow poison for the body. Foodborne illnesses, wastage, adulteration, pesticide residues, and pathogens have become part of a global health crisis. In such circumstances, ensuring food security is not just the responsibility of governments but also of citizens, farmers, traders, and consumers.
In a vast and diverse country like India, where agriculture is an integral part of life, food security becomes an even more sensitive issue. Millions of people in the country depend daily on food from roadside stalls, street vendors, or home cooked meals. Monitoring the hygiene and quality of food across these sources poses a significant challenge. Foodborne illnesses, especially in rural areas, often go unreported and have severe consequences for children, pregnant women, and the elderly.
The Government of India has taken several significant steps in this direction. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 600 million people fall ill annually due to contaminated food, and about 420,000 deaths occur as a result. These figures represent only the reported cases the real numbers may be far more alarming. In low- and middle-income countries, unsafe food causes an annual loss of $110 billion, heavily burdening society through reduced productivity and healthcare costs.
In the Indian context, an estimated 100 million foodborne illnesses occur each year, leading to around 120,000 deaths. In the South-East Asia region, around 150 million people were affected by foodborne diseases in 2010, resulting in 175,000 deaths. Most concerning is that 40% of the burden of these diseases falls on children under the age of five — the future of our nation.
To combat this, the Government of India established the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to regulate food quality. In the 2024 State Food Safety Index, Kerala secured the top position for the second consecutive year, proving that appropriate policies and implementation can significantly improve food safety.
However, according to a 2022 FSSAI study, food adulteration cases, which stood at 15% in 2012, have been steadily increasing a worrying trend. Between 2009 and 2018, West Bengal, Karnataka, and Gujarat recorded the highest incidences of foodborne diseases. About 32.7% of these cases were linked to grains and pulses the staple foods of everyday life.
FSSAI inspects food quality in schools, colleges, hotels, shops, and supermarkets. Regulations have also been introduced for online food vendors to ensure they deliver safe and quality food to consumers. However, laws alone are not enough. Every citizen must understand that there can be no compromise on food hygiene.
For example, food sold in the open, repeatedly fried in the same oil, or adulterated milk sold at cheap prices may appear beneficial in the short term but can cause severe health damage in the long run. An aware consumer can protect themselves by learning to detect adulteration, choosing quality products, and practicing safe food habits like washing or reheating before consumption.
Globally, many challenges threaten food security such as climate change affecting agriculture, increased use of pesticides in crop production, supply chain complexities, food wastage, and quality degradation due to market competition. A single mistake can jeopardize the lives of millions. This became evident during the COVID-19 pandemic when unsafe food packaging and processing were considered major contributors to the spread of infection.
Another critical aspect of food security is nutritional security. It's not just about filling the stomach but ensuring the food contains essential nutrients. Today, India faces a paradox on one hand, malnutrition, and on the other, an increase in obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. The reason lies in the lack of nutritional value in food. Imbalanced and poor eating habits, and overconsumption of fried, chemical laden, and processed foods are harming our lifestyle.
Therefore, it is crucial to focus on awareness campaigns, nutrition education, and promoting balanced diets. Food safety and nutrition education should be part of school curricula. When children understand from a young age what to eat, how to eat, and why, they will grow up to be healthy and responsible citizens.
Furthermore, women’s groups, anganwadi workers, and village assemblies must actively participate in food awareness programs. It is also essential to monitor chemicals and preservatives used in packaged foods. Consumers have the right to know what is in the food they buy, its expiration date, and its source. Yet, many Indian consumers are unaware of food labels or ignore reading them. Cultivating this simple habit can protect them from unsafe products.
At the agricultural level, farmers must be educated about organic farming, natural pesticides, crop rotation, and modern food storage techniques. Government initiatives like PM-Kisan, POSHAN Abhiyaan, and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) are directly linking farmers to efforts that strengthen food security. However, these schemes will only be effective if properly implemented at the grassroots level and if farmers receive adequate training.
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