Uttarakhand ranks 7th in Food Security Index, 2021-22

• 08 Jun 2022

Why in News?

• On the occasion of World Food Day (June 7, 2022) Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya released the 4^th State Food Safety Index (SFSI) of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), in which Uttarakhand has been ranked 7^th.

Key Points

• Mandaviya launched various innovative initiatives including The Eat Right Research Awards and Grants Phase-II, Eat Right Creativity Challenge Phase-III, a competition at the school level by FSSAI.
• Tamil Nadu topped the Food Security Index, 2021-22 among 17 large states with 82 points, while Gujarat is second with 77.5 points and Maharashtra is third with 70 points.
• Uttarakhand is at the 7^th position with 55 points in the category of big states.
• Among the smaller states, Goa retained its top ranking, while Manipur and Sikkim secured the second and third positions. Among the Union Territories, Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi and Chandigarh secured the top three ranks.
• It may be recalled that the states have been assessed on five parameters of food security - human resources and institutional data, compliance, food testing facilities, training and capacity building and consumer empowerment.
• The Food Security Index was launched in 2018-19 with the aim of bringing about a competitive and positive change in the food security ecosystem in the country. The move was also taken to motivate the states and Union Territories to work towards ensuring safe food for citizens.